Bishop John Buckley has said the declining number of priests is impacting more and more on his diocese as he announced plans to prioritise hospital chaplaincies and the pastoral care of the sick, dying, and bereaved.

Outside the wind howled and the rain lashed down, but serenity reigned within the confines of Christ The King Church on Cork City’s southside as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay tribute to Paddy Martin, father of Fianna Fáil leader Micheál and a well-known figure in sporting circles for decades.

MOST Reverend John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross, has announced a number of changes to appointments of priests in the diocese.