Dublin parishes are set to share priests due to a current shortage in members of the clergy, with lay people already leading funerals in the archdiocese.
New measures introduced by the Dublin Archdiocese could also see priestless funerals, and ceremonies led by lay people. Fr. Aquinas Duffy, the Parish Priest of Cabinteely, said the average age of priests in the diocese is 70.
Fr Duffy told Newstalk that priests are dying in the diocese and ordinations are low. He explained: "34 priests have died since February of 2020 and I think there was one ordination in that time so you don't need to be able to do the maths to see the difficulty that we're in.
Read more: Taoiseach can't rule out return of Covid-19 restrictions this winter
"Obviously, we'll have to find another way of expanding the church at the moment to address the crisis that we're in."
Fr Duffy also said that it will be impossible for priests to carry out the numbers of funerals required. He explained: "In some parishes they have up to 300 funerals a year, so clearly it won't be possible for one priest to do all of those funerals in the way that we currently do them.
"So I would envisage that there would be laypeople trained to preside at funeral services, and to also do the burial or cremation services," he added.
A new strategy called Building Hope is encouraging parishes to group together due to the shortage of priests, with the changes having already begun in Donnybrook, Booterstown and Foxrock.
In a statement to Dublin Live, the Dublin archdiocese confirmed that lay people are helping to lead funerals.
A spokesman said: "Lay people are already leading funerals in the Archdiocese and this is currently being formalised. This is the text of a note that is currently sent to parishes as part of our regular communications: In response to requests from parishes about the training of people to lead prayer specifically at the cemetery and the crematorium, the Office of Mission and Ministry has prepared the outline of such a course.
"There will be four monthly sessions to the training with practical ‘homework’ in between. These will take place on Wednesday evenings: 14 Sept, 12 Oct, 9 Nov and 7 Dec 2022. Specific time and locations later."
Meanwhile, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said in relation to the shortage of priests that women and men are being welcomed to receive training. He said: " I am therefore inviting women and men who feel that they are called to ministry to come forward to train for ministry as instituted lectors or acolytes or catechists.
"These are lay ministers, women and men, who are publicly recognised by the Church and appointed by the diocese to minister alongside priests and deacons in leading liturgies, supporting adult faith formation, and accompanying families preparing for the sacraments."
Read next:
- Finglas church appeal to find long lost replica ahead of centenary celebrations
- Why do we wave at magpies? The serious superstitions behind the bird
- Dublin artist dedicates work to famous Father Ted actor Frank Kelly
Social welfare Ireland: The payment that could help with skyrocketing bills
Dublin mum tells RTE host Joe Duffy she has been 'requested' to pay €60 for child's confirmation
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
