Parish sharing a 'challenge'

Parishioners have been asked to indicate which neighbouring parishes Kilcullen should align with for sharing resources, including priests.

This is against the background of a looming shortage of priests in Ireland, not least in the Dublin Diocese of which Kilcullen is a part.

Chairman of Kilcullen Pastoral Council Howard Berney said the research was the second phase of consultation with parishioners, following an initial discussion document distributed last August.

"We already have the phenomenon in Ireland of the 'priestless parish'," he noted. "Kilcullen parish will be affected in the future in one way or another ... even if there continues to be a priest in our parish, he will likely have additional responsibilities in adjoining parishes."

Describing the situation as a 'challenging prospect' he said it was nevertheless heartening to know that it is being addressed. "Planning is ongoing with a view to determining how best to ensure that faith continues to be enhanced and that an infrastructure continues in place to ensure that it is passed on to future generations."

Kilcullen is one of 12 parishes in the Blessington Deanery, which is itself one of 16 deaneries in the Dublin Diocese. The local survey last Sunday was part of a wider one in the pastoral area of which the Blessington Deanery is a part.

"There is a widespread concensus that the only way forward is to develop a concept whereby neighbouring parishes will cooperate by working together and sharing resources," Howard Berney said.

He added that there is no intention of closing any churches and it is accepted that the vast majority of parishioners want to maintain their parish identity.

The survey offered the names of Dunlavin, Ballymore and Narraghmore parishes as optional 'partners', though there was comment space for further views.

Any sharing would include priests, sisters, and pastoral workers, as well as physical resources such as parish centres and meeting rooms, as well as electronic equipment.

"Your views will have a significant influence on any decisions being made," Howard Berney concluded. "We should embrace this wholeheartedly and accept our shared responsibility to ensure that we maintain an environment which facilitates the enhancement of our faith, and that we are in a position to pass this faith on to future generations."

Brian Byrne.