SOME of the 30 Polish priests who catered for their Catholic flock during the boom years are to return to their native country after the number of Poles living here has declined.But the chaplain for the Polish community in Ireland gave assurances yesterday that the priests will be replaced, despite the fall in flock size.
National chaplain for the Polish Community Father Jaroslaw Maskiewicz confirmed that some of the 30 Polish priests were returning to Poland after serving three years in Ireland.
"Some of the priests are going back but they are being replaced. I do not know exactly how many Polish people are in Ireland. Some have left but they will be replaced. There are still many of us and people need a service in their own language," he said.
Before the recession began, there was an estimated 200,000 Polish people living in Ireland. One Polish priest, who has made his home in Sligo for the past three years, confessed he will miss the proximity to mountains and sea when he returns to his native country later this week.
Nostalgic
Popular Father Krzysztof Dulny, who leaves the north-west tomorrow, has also been moved by the welcome he has received from Irish people during his stint here.
He was in nostalgic mood as he continued his goodbyes under the shadow of Ben Bulben.
"My experience in Poland is if you want to be near the sea from my town you need five hours. If you want to go to the mountain, you need five hours, but in a different direction.
"In Ireland, I have ten minutes here to ocean and to mountain. It was very beautiful for me here. The welcome was so warm. We as a people are not ready to welcome the way the Irish welcome," he said.
Father Dulny has been administering to the spiritual needs of up to 1,000 members of the Polish community in Counties Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Fermanagh and Mayo.
"I am sad to go but it is normal after three years that you return to your own Diocese. I hope somebody will come to replace me," he said.
He estimates that the number of Polish people in the region has dropped from 4,000 to 3,000, but he believes many are staying on.
"Mainly people arrived in Ireland for two to three years to earn money and then return to Poland, but then the financial crisis came to Poland too and they had to change the plans.
"Some are still here because there is no place for them to go back to and they are just waiting," he said.
Among his final duties today will be a visit to Castlerea Prison to say goodbye to the Polish prisoners.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: II