Pressure on parishes with dozens of ageing priests due to retire

No newly-ordained priest has joined the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the past four years. File picture

The number of Catholic priests serving in Ireland is set to decline dramatically over the coming months. 

Priests who were due to retire over the past year but stayed on to help colleagues during the pandemic are now hoping they can step down from active ministry — but a lack of ordinations means there is no one to replace them.