Bring Irish priests back home. They are sorely needed in our parishes

I am replying to an article in the Irish Examiner of September 30, by Father Brendan Hoban.

It was excellent. I stress two points from it, namely: (1) ordain married men (2) invite back priests who left the parish previously to get married.

This great shortage of priests should never have been allowed to occur. Where were our bishops at this time?

Forty years ago, this situation was evident. The laity saw it coming. People talked about it. Priests talked a little about it.

Why did the bishops do nothing about it? They had the power.

There is an alternative. Recall some of the missionary priests from Africa, and from other countries.

There are many native priests in those foreign countries, so they are well-staffed. We could get some Irish priests from Poland.

Irish priests have served God well abroad. It is time for the bishops to return some of these priests to parishes in their own native counties. Irish people were generous in giving of their priests.

Now, we would be happy to receive some of them back.

I was a member of St Joseph’s Young Priests Society in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

I thank Father Brendan for his views.

Philomena Hearne

Tinnahalla

Milltown

Killarney

Co Kerry