According to a spokesman for the Association of Catholics in Ireland
(ACI), there is a solution to the current chronic shortage of priests in
the Irish Church but the bishops are "sticking" their heads "in the
sand hoping the problem will go away".
The comments come after the Irish Independent revealed a middle-aged
man has claimed he was sexually assaulted by a young cleric he met
through a gay dating site.
Over 26 bishops representing every diocese in Ireland have begun a visit to Rome this week.
Over 26 bishops representing every diocese in Ireland have begun a visit to Rome this week.
But following an "inconclusive discussion" on celibacy, they decided
not to bring a proposal to the Pope's attention that priests who left
ministry to get married should be invited to return to ministry.
The ACI has warned that the growing shortage of priests needs to be addressed "as a matter of urgency to ensure access by the faithful to Eucharist in the years ahead".
The ACI has warned that the growing shortage of priests needs to be addressed "as a matter of urgency to ensure access by the faithful to Eucharist in the years ahead".
The ACI lay reform group said it fully supported Bishop Leo O'Reilly
of Kilmore's proposal to set up a commission to examine the issue of
celibacy.
That proposal emerged as a recommendation from a listening process last year among the laity and priests in Bishop O'Reilly's diocese.
That proposal emerged as a recommendation from a listening process last year among the laity and priests in Bishop O'Reilly's diocese.
In its statement, the group pointed out that, in seeking the
establishment of a commission, Bishop O'Reilly was "reacting positively
to the urging of Pope Francis who, speaking about the shortage of
priests, said that local bishops are best acquainted with the needs of
the faithful and should be courageous and bring concrete suggestions for
reform to Rome".
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Noel McCann of the ACI, said: "In addition to ordaining married men, the ACI believes there is a cohort of ordained priests who left active ministry to marry, without seeking laicisation, who could be invited back into ministry right now."
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Noel McCann of the ACI, said: "In addition to ordaining married men, the ACI believes there is a cohort of ordained priests who left active ministry to marry, without seeking laicisation, who could be invited back into ministry right now."
The high percentage of priests over 65 years of age in Ireland and
the low intake of seminarians suggest that in 10 years' time, many
parishes will be without a resident priest.
The clustering of parishes has already resulted in some parishes
being without a daily Mass, while others can only provide prayer
services on selected weekdays without the distribution of communion.
"The crisis is clear, what is causing the crisis is clear, but what are we doing about solutions? Where is the urgency in terms of addressing the issue?" Mr McCann asked.
"The crisis is clear, what is causing the crisis is clear, but what are we doing about solutions? Where is the urgency in terms of addressing the issue?" Mr McCann asked.