Saturday, August 23, 2008

Bishop Walsh Concerned About Priest Welfare

The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr William Walsh has said he is worried by the increased isolation of priests, particularly in rural parishes.

Bishop Walsh said he was "extremely aware of how isolated many priests are, particularly in rural areas". In Killaloe diocese, he said, many priests are now living alone as opposed to with other priests or with a housekeeper.

Isolation

"Over 40 years ago in a presbytery you would have a couple of priests, maybe a housekeeper living there as well, there was activity, a bit of a buzz around the house, now that's gone," he said.

There has been increased concern over the isolation of priests in recent years. The ongoing fall off in vocations has led to a situation where a lot of priests are now living alone.

Research by the Bishops' Conference Council for Research and Development show that almost 25% of priests are aged between 60 and 69, with just 13% of priests under 40.

"I do worry about priests," he said, "I'd be concerned that they might be isolated. A priest might say a Mass in the morning and then go back to the presbytery and see no-one for the remainder of the day."

Positive Action

Bishop Walsh encouraged priests to take positive action to ease isolation.

"It's very important that priests do things together, that's why priests working together as part of a team can be very helpful. It means that they are interacting with their colleagues and getting a sense of a shared mission. I'd certainly welcome anything that could be done to help priests' welfare." he said
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