A model for Catholic Church structures for the next millennium is being prepared in the east Co Clare parish of KillanenaFlagmount, which is currently without a resident priest.
Last July parishioners were informed by the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, that due to a drop in clerical manpower, the outgoing parish priest, Father John Slattery, would not be replaced.
Since Bishop Walsh's emotional meeting with the parish, Father Harry Bohan, appointed by Bishop Walsh to liaise with the community, has held meetings with parishioners to ease the transition to what Bishop Walsh describes as "people taking ownership of the church." Founder of Rural Resource Ltd, Father Bohan said the new structures to be put in place in the priest-less parish are working towards a new model of the church.
He said: "For over a hundred years, we have had a clericalised church and the situation at Killanena-Flagmount offers the people the chance to take responsibility rather than before where people took a very passive role as the priest was the figure of authority."
Part of the restructuring in the 500-strong parish has been the dismantling of the old parish council, whose membership remained unchanged since 1981. In its place is a new 16-member council from 102 nominations.
Parishioners will now look after finance, the care of the aged, preparing the liturgy, faith development and care for young people, while priests from outside parishes will perform sacramental duties.
However, despite the ambitious programme, anger continues in the parish at the absence of a priest.
A parish council member, Ms Jennie O'Neill, said: "Most people feel that we have more or less been abandoned. Operating a parish independently does not present any real difficulties. The point is, in a rural parish, the parish priest is the focal point and suddenly he is gone. People are bewildered it could happen."
She added: "The elderly are the most affected. They're frightened. What if someone is to fall sick? How far would a priest have to travel? The absence of a priest also badly affects the young. Now they have a legitimate excuse to stray from the church."
Bishop Walsh is to hold another public meeting next month to monitor progress and see if the parishioners still desire a parish priest.
Ms O'Neill said: "We will be having our public meeting before we meet the Bishop and decide what course of action we will take. Most people, I feel, want a priest, but they are frightened that we will get a resident priest rather than a functioning one. We understand there is a shortage, but we deserve a priest, not just one for a temporary period. Religion is important to us."