The Catholic Church in Ireland will face a ‘new reality” soon.
That’s according to Archbishop of Cashel and Emly who wrote to parishioners yesterday amid reducing priest numbers.
Kieran O’Reilly says parishes will be amalgamated, and lay people will be asked to assist priests more in their duties as an increasing number approach retirement age.
The Archbishop is warning that 50 percent of the priests currently serving in the archdiocese will be over the retirement age of 75 within five years.
