Four in every 10 parishes across the Limerick Diocese are without a resident priest.
With just one priest in Limerick ordained locally aged under 50 the Bishop has suggested some parishes may need to merge to remain sustainable.
As Easter approaches, Bishop Leahy says he will be asking people of parishes to ask themselves if theirs remains “viable in terms of mission”.
“Are its resources in terms of volunteers, finance and young people sufficient to generate life going forward into the future?” he asked.
“Looking forward 10 years, can our parish go it alone? Can we sustain the maintenance of our church and other buildings? Do we perhaps need to amalgamate with neighbouring parishes,” Bishop Leahy asked.
“We cannot postpone difficult decisions,” he warned.
“Many wonderful priests are going to retire in the coming few years. We have one ordination coming up in May with Deacon Tim Collins being ordained here in the Cathedral. Thank God we will have one man entering priestly formation for the Diocese and we thank God also for priests who come from countries. But the situation is clear: we will possibly have two ordinations in 15 years. I don’t need to spell it out much more,” said Bishop Leahy, who is the most senior member of the Catholic Church in Limerick.
The Bishop says he wants to approach these challenges with the hope that Easter, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings.
He made the comments at the annual Chrism Mass for the blessing and consecration of oils for the year ahead.
“We are being asked to do something new. The past is done, and we must meet the needs of the future. This week, we have the message of the risen Lord to inspire us to go again, to tell the message anew,” Bishop Leahy said.
On Good Friday, the way of the cross through Limerick city will be observed.
Starting at 12noon in St John’s Cathedral, it will weave its way through the city to arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral 90 minutes later.
People can take it in turns to carry the cross and there will be a number of locations with reflections and prayers.
All are welcome.