Bishop: Sick and elderly suffer in priest shortage

The sick, elderly and bereaved in the diocese of Cork are suffering as there are not enough priests to cater for their spiritual needs.

According to the Bishop of Cork and Ross, priests in the diocese are “so run off their feet” they cannot make as many visits to the housebound as they traditionally did.

The diocese has disclosed a number of priests are opting to work beyond the normal retirement age of 75 as they realise there are not sufficient numbers to replace them.