Shortage of parish priests to see reduction in Masses

THE Catholic diocese of Cork and Ross has announced a reduction in the number and frequence of Masses to be celebrated in churches as a result of the shortage of priests.

In a move heralded last June by Bishop John Buckley, the diocese has responded to the fall in the number of vocations and the reality that there are now too few priests for too many parishes.

In a letter read at Mass at all parishes on Sunday and published online by the diocese yesterday, Bishop Buckley reiterated his plan to divide the diocese into what are known as “pastoral areas” or groupings of parishes.