ADVERTISEMENT

Catholic Bishop pleas with Pope Francis to ordain married Priests

Recent research shows that 80% of priests in Ireland are over the age 65 and the low intake of seminarians suggest that in ten years time many parishes will be without a resident priest.

 

The Association of Catholics Ireland released a statement today saying that if measures are not taken, many parishes will be without a resident Priest in Ireland.

The statement also says, that because of the merging of parishes, some parishes do not conduct the daily mass and on selected weekdays only having prayer services without distribution of Holy Communion.

"Already the clustering of parishes has resulted in some parishes being without a daily Mass and on selected week days only having prayer services without distribution of Holy Communion," the association said in a statement.

This development is upsetting to parishioners, particularly daily Mass-goers", it said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bishop O’Reilly proposed to Pope Francis to consider Ireland to ordain married men as priest of married clergy to be ordained as priests.

He said that a good number of ordained Priests left the ministry to get married, and they can be invited back into the ministry.

"Married clergy would bring the warmth and richness of their lived experience to their pastoral ministry and be well placed to offer support to married couples and families in difficulties," the group said in the letter sent to Pope Francis.

They would bring their experience of marriage to pastoral work while providing extra resources to meet the challenge of the shortage of priests, the organisation believes.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT