Mar 19, 2008 / 15:02 pm
The Catholic Church in Ireland is planning a radical overhaul of its parish structures to ease pressure on its shrinking and ageing body of clergy, the Independent reports.
Bishops must cope with a vastly smaller number of vocations, a falling number of priests, and the ageing of available priests.
The reform aims to reduce the workload on clergy to allow them to focus on ministering the Eucharist, Confession, and Anointing of the Sick. It will enhance community and laity involvement in church operations.
In 2006 there were only 30 men studying for the priesthood in Ireland, compared to 176 male vocations in 1981. In 1995 there were 3,659 diocesan priests. Their numbers declined to 3,078 in 2006.