Kerry parishioners campaign to keep their resident priest

Pressure is mounting on Bishop of Kerry Dr Ray Browne to retain a priest in one of the biggest Catholic parishes in the country. The parish of Kilcummin is in the pastoral area of Killarney along with Killarney town and the parishes of Fossa, Glenflesk, and Firies.

The Kerry diocese, which includes parts of north and west Cork, has been divided into 12 pastoral areas, along the lines of the old deaneries. A shortage of priests in the diocese means most priests work beyond retirement age, and as many as eight of the 53 parishes in the diocese will now be without resident priests after the changes expected to be finalised at the weekend.