Three Polish priests have been drafted into Northern Ireland parishes to meet the shortage of Irish priests in the area. The three will work as curates in parishes in the diocese of Down and Connor, ministering to both the Irish and the Polish migrants.
Diocesan secretary, John McManus said the changes were necessary due to the shortage of priests in the diocese.
''I don't know how long they will stay for, perhaps up to five years or so.''
Trend
In a trend that is symptomatic of the Church nationwide, four priests retired from the diocese this year and the last ordination was three years ago.
Meanwhile, four priests have been given charge of an extra parish in addition to their residential parishes. The scenario of one priest running two parishes has occurred in other dioceses around the country as retiring priests go un-replaced and has prompted concerns about the increasing workload on priests.
First year
This is the first year the diocese has had to double the duties of its priests in such a way, indicating continuing consequence of the falling vocations.
While it is not uncommon for many dioceses to use the services of the Polish chaplain to minister in places where there is a sufficient migrant community of Poles, it is understood this is the first time that Polish priests were needed for Irish faithful.
One of the priests, Fr Robert Markuszewski has been released from his chaplaincy work with the migrant community and will now take the position as curate in St Agnes parish. Two other priests, Andrzej Kolaczkowski (St Oliver Plunkett Parish) and Fr Mariusz Urbanowski for Larne Parish come from the Society of Christ in Great Britian.
Down and Connor currently have four seminarians in Queen's University in Belfast and four more in the Irish College in Rome.
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