Diocese of Cloyne examining how to organise parishes in 'best way possible to serve the pastoral needs going forward'

Like many Irish dioceses, the diocese of Cloyne is facing a significant shortage of priests over the coming months and years ahead.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), 15% of priests in Ireland are aged over 75 and still working, over 25% are aged between 60–75, with just 2.5% of serving Catholic priests in Ireland are aged under 40.

Bishop of Cloyne William Crean told The Echo about the steps that the diocese is taking to deal with the current situation regarding the shortage of priests.

“We have been involved in a process here, like a lot of other dioceses, where we have a lesser number of priests.

“So, we are looking at how we can organise ourselves in parishes or groups of parishes in the best way possible to serve the pastoral needs going forward.

“We have been involved both at deanery level and parish level with those kinds of conversations.

“I must say that it leaves us with lots of questions wondering how things are. But we are getting a strong sense of solidarity and support.

“People are keen that the life in their parishes is sustained and supported regardless of how a different church is emerging at this time.” 

On what his hopes are for the coming year ahead for the church and across the world globally, Bishop Crean added: “The jubilee of hope carries within it the very thought and very concept of a new beginning always.

“For 2026, there are lots of worrying things by way of war and conflict universally.

"But we have a great hope that comes from people who are trying to make peace in these situations.

“The international politics, we would like a little more calm and level headed people to prevail.”