Last year, on the day of Prayer for Vocations, a special year of prayer for vocations to the priesthood in Ireland began. That comes to an end today. but we would ask you to continue praying for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. As many parts of our country and our diocese can see already, there is a real need for continuing prayer. The number of active priests has been gradually falling but, unless vocations begin to pick up, we will see radical change within a few years.
The age of retirement from active ministry for a priest is 75. In our diocese we have a number of priests who have retired as parish priests but who continue to help out in relation to celebrating Masses. Others are available for cover for Masses in case of need due to holidays or sickness. Their help is deeply appreciated.
In the ‘not too distant’ future, if we do not get vocations and all the active priests at present are blessed with good health, we will reach a point where there will be 40 priests under 75 actively serving the 46 parishes in the diocese. As we approach that possible scenario, as a parish and as a diocese, we have to explore what can be done to ensure that the Good News of the Gospel will continue to be shared with the people of our parishes and diocese. Parish Pastoral Councils in the diocese, including are own, are beginning to look at what can be done or at least attempted in order to be able to deal with that situation if it arises. Change in how things will be in the light of those figures above will come gradually but with all parishioners and all the faithful of the diocese keeping in mind that there will be changes, they should come over time and not all at once. From prayer and contemplation to active service in different ways everyone can have a part to play to continue the mission entrusted to us all through baptism and confirmation.