Bishop speaks of ‘new reality’

The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin has spoken of a “new reality” of fewer priests, the questionable viability of some churches, and the need for a “radical reappraisal” of parish communities.

Bishop Denis Nulty highlighted the issues in a letter to mass-goers in the diocese, which covers 56 parishes in Kilkenny, Wicklow, Wexford, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, and Carlow.

“This new reality will see fewer priests in the not-too-distant future. At the moment, there are 90 priests ministering in our diocese; 27 of them are over 75.