The Association of Catholic Priests predicts that priestless funerals will become increasingly common by the decade's end.

Fr Roy Donovan, the priests' association spokesperson, foresees that ceremonies led by lay ministers, often without a funeral Mass, will become firmly established in a few years.

The change will particularly impact densely populated urban areas.

Training programmes for parishioners have been initiated in dioceses nationwide, including Dublin.

"Lay people are being trained at the moment at dioceses around the country to perform funeral duties, and it's exactly what's needed because the burden on priests has to be relieved.

"There are fewer priests than ever before, and they are ageing.

"Yet people still expect a priest to lead a funeral Mass, which is becoming increasingly unrealistic," said Donovan.

More than 70 new lay leaders in the dioceses of Clogher and Down and Connor are nearing the end of their training.

Delays for funerals

Families have been cautioned that the shrinking number of priests and a deepening vocations crisis could also lead to grouped or delayed funerals in the near future.

In the coming years, lay individuals are expected to take on more central roles in funeral ceremonies, supporting grieving families and assisting in various aspects except for conducting a funeral Mass.

"Certainly, by the end of the decade, it'll become common to see laity and priests sharing responsibilities throughout the country while, in cities, we'll start to see funeral ceremonies without a mass because there won't be a priest available," suggested Donovan.

If families desire a priest to lead a funeral Mass, they may need to wait a week or two, akin to practices in England.

Additionally, multiple funerals may likely occur simultaneously to cope with the impact of the priest shortage.

Sources

Irish Mirror

CathNews New Zealand

As in many countries, churches and other places of worship in the Irish Republic have significant restrictions. Priests are required to say mass in empty or near-empty churches.

To reach parishioners, masses have been broadcast online since restrictions on attendance were put in place to combat the pandemic.

The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) said the expectation among parishioners that mass will be said online had produced a slew of comments and reviews.

This was putting its members under pressure to perform and causing a form of digital stage fright.

Father Tim Hazelwood, a spokesman for the ACP, said a lot of priests had felt "forced" into putting their services online. A number had subsequently stopped because of "judgment" from viewers.

"And there is a group of 'mass hoppers' who go from mass to mass, and unfortunately some of them pass comments that are very hurtful."

Fr Gerry O'Conner from the Scala Community in Cork city said priests can see how many views they have received and comparisons are being made.

"We are aware that people have their favourite online liturgies. They think some are better than others. There are reviews and analyses and comparisons being made," he said explaining why priests are abandoning online masses.

"Like anyone else, priests can be sensitive."

While the idea of priests suffering digital stage fright may sound like a Covid-compliant plotline from the television comedy Father Ted, the ACP said its members were dealing with multiple pressures caused by the pandemic.

The average age for a priest in Ireland is 72. Many live alone as the Catholic Church copes with dwindling congregation sizes and an ageing priesthood.

Father Hazelwood said his colleagues were facing issues such as reductions in church income of up to 60 per cent while also having to adjust to old age.

He told the AGM: "Our energy levels are falling. Our health and our fitness isn't as good as it was. We have to recognise that what we could do before, we can't be expected to do now."

Sources

iNews

Irish Examiner

Archbishop Brown said that young Irish seminarians he met at St Patrick's College, the national seminary in Maynooth, and in Rome, showed a "renewed enthusiasm for their faith". That may well be true, but the numbers are miniscule.

Figures on the bishops' own website show the age profile of Irish priests. Over 65 per cent of Irish priests are aged 55 or over.

There are only two priests under the age of 40 in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

A priest in Killala diocese, Fr Brendan Hoban, pointed out that there has been a priest and celebration of the Eucharist in his parish -Moygownagh - since the eighth century.

But he believes he will be that last priest in that parish.

At the moment there is a priest in every parish in Killala. Within 20 years there will be seven serving 22 parishes spread out over a wide area. The situation is much same in other dioceses.

The research points out that to maintain the status quo would mean ordaining 82 priests each year.

The reality is that 20 students entered Maynooth in September 2013. It is likely that only 10 or 12 will be ordained in 2020. Continue reading.

Seán McDonagh is a Columban missionary priest, well known author and speaker, and a spokesman for the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland.

Source: Tablet Blog

Image: Percy French Festival

The meeting called for a organised dialogue in the Irish Church, a dialogue that would work towards establishing appropriate structures that would reflect the participation of all the baptised. Full Statement Association of Catholic Priests