Cork parishes to lose priests and Masses as numbers fall

It comes as eight priests in the Cork and Ross diocese retire while three others return to their religious orders

Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, warned: "Certain churches may not have a weekend Mass as they did up to now. The number of priests available for ministry will be reduced this summer. This will inevitably mean that more parishes will no longer have a resident priest. This is one of the greatest challenges we face.” Picture: Brian Lougheed

Almost a dozen parishes in the Cork and Ross diocese are set to lose a priest as a radical framework is being put in place arising out of a fall in priest numbers.

Eight retirements have been announced by Bishop Fintan Gavin, as well as the return of three others to their religious orders.