Parish clustering may be on the way to the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin it was revealed this week. Speaking this week the communications officer for the diocese, Fr Michael Murphy, revealed that currently there are 84 priests working in the diocese, only 15 of whom are under 45 years of age.
Fr Murphy said that the Diocese is currently testing the water on the issue.
“It's better that we plan for it, as in future there will be fewer priests. There is no timeline or no definite plan, it will be decided by what comes out of the information meetings.”
Fr Murphy also revealed that a meeting was held in Carlow College recently to discuss the possible grouping or clustering of five local parishes together as one.
If clustering is brought into effect in the diocese, it would mean that several parishes would share both priests and resources.
It could also potentially result in fewer masses in certain parishes and the loss of resident priests, as they are shared throughout the diocese.
Among some of the grouping that were been considered were Arles, Grauigecullen, Akea / Benekerry, Carlow Cathedral, Doonane and Tinryland group of parishes. Other clusters discussed include Baltinglass, Hacketstown and Rathvilly while a grouping of Tullow, Clonmore, Clonegal and Ballon was also mentioned.
It is also believed that a grouping consisting of Leighlinbridge, Graigenamanagh, Muinebheag, Myshall, Paulstown and St Mullins was also discussed at a recent meeting in Leighlinbridge.
The diocese currently has no bishop, following the retirement of Bishop Moriarty and Monsignor Brendan Byrne, parish priest of Tullow, is Diocesan Administrator.
SIC: CIN/IE