Parish to be left without priest for first time

THE Kerry parish of Allihies, on the Beara peninsula, is to lose its resident priest, because of a shortage of clergy.

It will be the first time one of the 53 parishes of the ancient diocese of Kerry (called Ardfert until the middle of the 20th century), which includes west and north Cork, will be without a priest.

But it will not be the last time and “will be repeated in every one of the 12 pastoral areas of the diocese over the coming years,” Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy told Mass-goers yesterday.