The Bishop of Kerry has said the role played by priests and religious from other countries should not be forgotten at a time when some people are very hard on migrants arriving into the country.
Bishop Ray Browne said at a time of fewer priests being available to serve here, and with an ageing clergy, there is now an international flavour to people involved in the church locally.
“We must appreciate the many immigrants who we couldn’t do without. We need to keep a very balanced view of these things,” he remarked.
The bishop said 85 per cent of the priests currently working in the Kerry diocese are aged over 50 and many of them over 60.
To help minister to the people, seven priests from abroad have been sent on loan to the diocese, including five from Kenya and two from India.
The latter duo are part of the Order of Camillus which was founded to provide people to work in hospital chaplaincy and emergency situations involving medical needs and serious illness.
One of the priests from India is already working full-time in a chaplaincy role in University Hospital Kerry and the other will be joining him next year.
In addition, a new priest has arrived in Kerry from Poland to work with the Polish community, a member of the Franciscan Order in Killarney, from Toga in Africa, is also available to assist and there is an Indian nurse working in the nursing home in Killorglin which was set up by a French order of nuns.
“We need these priests from abroad for the fullness of Christman life in the diocese,” Bishop Browne told the diocesan radio programme Horizons.
“How united we are will enable us to be able to cope with the change, mindful that it’s happening in many parishes throughout Ireland and in many other western countries – we are all on the same path,” he stated.
The bishop said five newly deacons recently ordained in the diocese and pastoral lay leadership recruits will also play a crucial role in church life going forward.
“We have adjusted hugely in the last 20 years from a time when many parishes had secretaries and at least two priests. We have adjusted to having less,” Bishop Browne said.
“Let’s be confident that in the years ahead we can equally adjust. Our situation will be different but different doesn’t mean better or worse,” he added.