Mags GarganThe restructuring plan was decided at a meeting at Dominican headquarters in Dublin in mid-September, and was announced at Masses last weekend.
The Dominican friars have announced they are withdrawing from five parishes across the country because of falling numbers and the aging profile of members.
While the order had a number of new vocations this year – three Dominican priests were ordained and six men made their solemn profession – there are just 125 Irish Dominicans and only 51 are under the age of 65. The Dominicans plan to withdraw from St Magdalen’s in Drogheda, Leeson Park in Dublin, St Dominic’s in Athy, St Saviour’s in Limerick and St Saviour’s in Ballybeg, Waterford.
Fr Gregory Carroll OP, prior provincial, said the purpose of the reorganisation was to help make the work of the members “more effective in the core ministries of itinerant preaching, primary pastoral care and youth formation”, and to support a sustained community life.
He said “spreading our numbers too thinly” means that it became extremely difficult to respond to needs adequately, and “with limited numbers, we have no option but to re-deploy”.
The restructuring plan was decided at a meeting at Dominican headquarters in Dublin in mid-September, and was announced at Masses last weekend.