More responsibilities for less priests now in a changing Ireland

A number of changes are set to take place across Tipperary over the coming weeks as priests will take responsibility for a greater area than previously.

A shortage of priests has meant that new roles have been assigned as the number of priests continues to drop. The  series of clerical appointments from the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, Dr Kieran O’Reilly, will take effect from Saturday 7th/Sunday 8th September 2024.

He paid tribute to the adaptability of the priests in his diocese as their roles get busier owing to the shortage of priests nationwide. 

“The situation is not going to improve much in the near future. We only have one candidate for ordination to the priesthood this year,” the Archbishop said in a comment which reflects the changing cultures at the heart of Ireland and is in stark contrast with the historically strong image of the ‘Land of Saints and Scholars' built up through the decades. 

The change in Ireland has come this century with issues from the past playing a part in downgrading the number of entrants at a rapid rate.

The fall in Vocations has meant that Ireland, although more affluent than in previous eras, is suffering from a shortage of priests in a changing world.

After making the reshuffle announcement, with the full list in last week’s edition of the paper, Archbishop O’Reilly said the priests in the diocese were willing to take on extra responsibilities given the shortage of priests.

Now mass responsibilities will be shared while the role of the lay people will increase to ensure that all responsibilities can be met and situations can be dealt with without delays insofar as possible.

For example the diocese is seeking to establish Funeral Ministry teams where possible in parishes. Funeral Ministers may lead prayers in Funeral Homes and receive funerals on removal to the Chapel with full training provided to those involved.

Priests will ‘pool together’ if you like to ensure masses can be said in all parishes. In the Cashel and Emly Diocese some parishes have an Administrator as they do not have a Parish Priest. 

The Archbishop has issued the Diocesan Transfers and Appointments. The same situation is prevalent nationwide and the lowering number of priests nationally will have to be addressed by more priests coming from abroad to preach in Ireland.

How times have changed. The situation may change in future and people may return in greater numbers to the seminaries but for now the situation is being dealt with as adequately as possible. 

The  Cashel & Emly Diocese changes from September were in last weeks Tipperary Star. The following is an up to date list of the Parish Priests in the Killaloe diocese in the Tipperary area. 
  Fr. Pat Gilbert Co-PP/VF, The Presbytery, Nenagh.
Fr. Rexon Chullickal Co-PP, The Presbytery, Nenagh.
Fr. Lorcan Kenny Co-PP, Portroe, Nenagh.
Fr. Brendan Moloney AP, Silvermines, Nenagh.
Fr. William McCormack AP, Puckane, Nenagh.
Fr. Jofin Jose CC, Nenagh.Fr. Patrick Greed Co-PP/VF, Cloughjordan.
Fr. Francis Xavier Kochuveettil Co-PP, Toomevara.
Fr. Tom O’Halloran Co-PP/VF, Parochial House, Borrisokane.
Fr. Michael Cooney Co-PP, Parochial House, Terryglass.
Fr. Pat Deely, Lorrha.Fr. John Molloy PP/VF, Roscrea.
Fr. Antun Pasalic CC, The Presbytery, Roscrea.
Fr. Thomas Corbett AP, Roscrea.