Retirements to leave Kerry parishes without resident priest

Mass times and frequency to be cut in a number of areas of West Cork and Kerry, bishop said

Bishop of Kerry Dr Ray Browne said in effect, no parish in Kerry now has a full-time priest because of the extra workload in serving neighbouring parishes. File picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

The retirement of two priests later this month means a record numbers of parishes in the Diocese of Kerry will be without a resident priest this summer.

The retirements mean ”fewer and fewer” priests are now available in the county, the Bishop of Kerry said, meaning Mass frequency is to be cut in a number of areas and changes to Mass times will also take place.