By Sarah Mac Donald
In a statement, Bishop Duffy revealed that in his cross-border diocese, just nine priests, or 15 percent of the total, are under 60 years of age.
Fifty-three percent of Clogher’s priests are aged over 70 and many of these are retired fully while others remain in active ministry, but often on a part-time basis. A total of 21 priests, 34 percent, are aged under 65.
“Over recent years this changing landscape has meant that many priests have had to take on additional responsibilities in terms of extra parishes,” he said. Each year, diocesan changes become “more and more challenging. This year is no exception.”
He said the task of providing a priest for each parish is “very challenging” and necessitates looking at different options for the short and medium term.
But he also noted: “Yet, still, the Lord is calling men into service. This year, we celebrated the ordination of Fr Stephen Sherry to the priesthood.”
He also highlighted that there has also been “an increase in the numbers of men expressing an interest in discerning a call to the priesthood.”
At the same time the diocese has seen a valuable contribution from permanent deacons and the development of various forms of lay ministry through good formation as well as the introduction of leadership models at parish and pastoral area levels in the form of Pastoral Councils.
Nevertheless, the Bishop of Clogher said he still had to look to the wider Church for assistance. Thanking priests from abroad who have come to serve in some of Clogher’s parishes he stressed, “We are part of a universal Church in a global village. We must seek out the gifts of priesthood and ministry from other parts of our Church to help us here.”
He expressed his gratitude to priests from abroad who have helped Clogher on its “missionary journey of renewal as we seek to build on new opportunities amidst the challenges that face us”. – The Tablet
