Senior figures of the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland met representatives of priests from all over Ireland last week to discuss a new national forum for priests. In September last year, the National Conference of Priests of Ireland (NCPI) disbanded, after serving as a national forum for priests for 31 years.
The body had served as a professional body for priests nationally, seeking to promote every aspect of the priestly ministry.
However at its AGM, interest in the NCPI had waned to such a degree that there were not sufficient delegates present to elect a new president, and instead it was disbanded.
However last week, at the invitation of Cardinal Brady, senior figures of the Irish hierarchy, including all four archbishops, met most of the chairmen of Diocesan Councils of Priests at Maynooth, to open up a dialogue on how the interests of priests in Ireland could best be served at a new national forum for priests.
Chairman of the Kildare diocesan Council of Priests, Fr Declan Foley, was among those present.
“The bishops were anxious to see if something else could be set up to give the priests of Ireland a voice,” he said.
Emphasising that the discussions between the priests and bishops were at a “preliminary stage” Fr Foley said that part of the discussion focussed on why the NCPI failed, and the need to identify the real issues and focus that a new body might have.
The presence of such a strong representation from the hierarchy gave impetus to the meeting.
“There was a bit of enthusiasm about,” said Fr Foley. “We were impressed that four of the archbishops would gather to meet a representative group of priests of the country.”
While the initial discussion, which was open and wide ranging, focussed on the establishment of a body that would be independent, as the dialogue went on, the feeling was that “rather than working independently, there should be more collaboration.”
“Bishops need to hear the voices of priests,” said Fr Foley.
The chairmen of the diocesan priests' councils are to meet the bishops again in the autumn, but in the meantime, the priests will take the discussion to their own deaneries, parishes and pastoral councils.
“We are at an exploratory stage. In a sense we wonder what we can achieve, but there was a bit of enthusiasm. It was a positive step,” said Fr Foley who is parish priest of Bagenalstown in Carlow.
Present at the gathering with Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Martin, Archbishop Michael Neary and Archbishop Dermot Cliffort, were Bishops Donal Murray from Limerick and Joseph Duffy from Clogher diocese.
Fr Foley said that one of the biggest issues facing priests nationally is their age profile. He estimates that half of Ireland’s priests may not be “operational” in ten years time.
“It means that the face of the Church is changing. In the future I can see a situation where professional people will take over administration, and be parish managers, perhaps act in funeral receptions and take responsibility for catechetics. The new Church that is evolving will have greater participation and collaboration,” he added.
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