A PARISH in the Catholic diocese of Kerry is to operate without a resident priest for the first time, it was announced yesterday.
The parish of Allihies, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the Beara peninsula, is to lose its priest because of a shortage of clergy, Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy told Massgoers.
It will be the first time one of the 53 parishes of the ancient diocese of Kerry (called Ardfert from medieval times to the middle of the 20th century) which includes west and north Cork will be without a priest.
This would not be the last time, however, and “will be repeated in every one of the 12 pastoral areas of the diocese over the coming years”, Dr Murphy said.
It was with regret that the time had come to withdraw a priest from the Beara pastoral area, he said, adding that it was a sad day for the parish and the diocese.
“The reason for this decision is the reduction of the number of clergy ministering in the diocese. As most are aware, there has been a shortage of vocations in recent years and this is now impacting forcefully throughout the diocese.”
Dr Murphy told Allihies parishioners that although as the diocese had been preparing for this for some time, “I am filled with sadness in the knowledge that this action will leave a parish in our diocese, without a resident priest”.
Each of the three priests in the Beara pastoral area – Adrigole, Castletownbere and Eyeries – will have a role in ministering Allihies.
This new reality was not entirely negative, the bishop told Massgoers yesterday.
“It does provide an opportunity for laity to take their rightful place in leadership roles in our parishes. Due to the commitment of clergy and laity and the preparation that has been under way over the past number of years, I am confident that we will be able to manage this new situation well.”