Bishop of Kilmore issues stark warning over low number of priests

A crisis is said to be emerging in the Kilmore Diocese over the number of priests serving the area.

The Bishop of Kilmore has issued a warning as part of announcing clergy appointments for 2026

In a statement, the Bishop of Kilmore, Martin Hayes says 30% of priests in the Diocese are over 75, some of whom are retired fully while others choose to be active in parish ministry.

47% of priests are over 70 years old while 60% are over the age of 65.

The statistics also show just one third of priests in the Diocese are under 60.

The Bishop says it means that the task of providing priests for each parish into the future in Kilmore Diocese is challenging and amounts to a crisis.

However, Bishop Hayes says it also affords the opportunity for increased lay involvement in parishes, and appreciation of the availability and giftedness of priests from abroad. Together, they are embracing new models of parish ministry.

Concluding, Bishop Hayes says the Kilmore Diocese will embrace the crisis of the evident reduction in vocations to diocesan priesthood in Ireland.