It seems clear that many priests are hurting

Dear Editor, Many thanks for opening a debate about the ministry of priests in Ireland today in the ‘Relentless Ministry’ section [The Irish Catholic – January 16, 2025]. It seems clear that many priests are hurting very badly, and this may be partly as a result of a reluctance on our part to speak to each other directly about our concerns and our real needs. As priests we are called to preside at the Eucharist and to be pastors, but we do so for the people we are called to serve. Perhaps we can somehow help and support one another at a more personal and local level.

When I was ordained for the Dublin Diocese in 1964 I could not have imagined what life there was in store for me. Now in 2025 I can only thank God for the life journey which has somehow been gifted to me. It was certainly not what I had foreseen, but it was certainly much more joyful than I could have expected, and despite the very real challenges. Somehow the graces were given to me as and when I needed them, and the presence of God seemed to be somehow everywhere.

Now being listed as a retired priest indicates that I am no longer expected to fulfil any further public ministry in the diocese. However, I remain a priest, and still a ‘minister of the word and work of Jesus Christ’. While I am no longer in a public role in the church, I am somehow better able to sense the concerns of my lay catholic friends, and especially of my own family members, who somehow are sad to see the Church here in Ireland in such a poor state. Certainly we all need hope, but we also need some indication of a possible way forward, and in the near future.

I certainly look forward to reading the contributions of others, and hopefully sharing some of my own here in The Irish Catholic with God’s help.

Yours etc.,

Fr Paddy Gleeson

Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin

Priests must say yes and trust the Lord

Dear Editor, I was astonished at the article written by Garry O’Sullivan [The Irish Catholic, January 23, 2025]. Our bishops are the teaching authority of the Church and not managers of a business. Time and time again they have been blamed for all the ills in the Irish Church.

It is time now that all our priests take a look back over the years of their ministry and look at all the times that a lay man or woman came to them offering to organise adoration, recitation of the rosary, Bible study groups, catechesis for children, parish missions, or even to paint the Church, fundraise for new windows, the list in endless and they said no. The laity are also made in the image and likeness of God and we too by our baptism have a role to play in evangelising our country. For every time a priest says no to a lay person a chance is lost for the Holy Spirit to work in the parish. I have no doubt vocations have been lost, indeed souls have been lost because the laity have not been let play our part in building up our Church. I only heard last night how a group of parishioners had to fight to be able to Adore the Blessed Sacrament!

I urge all our priests to not be afraid. Step out on the water with us! Say yes and trust in the Lord. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I promise you your burden will be lighter. If you think you don’t have active laity, pray with your parishioners and ask them to come to you with their ideas. The Body of Christ was never meant to have just one active part.

Yours etc.,

Fiona Kiely

Bartlemy, Co. Cork

Christianity in Ireland has a glorious future

Dear Editor, Many people firmly believe that the Catholic Church is coming to an end. I would like to share with you just one example where I think that Celtic Catholicism is alive, vigilant, inspiring and driven by the Holy Spirit. As a result of the Eowyn Storm which struck Co. Mayo in the early hours of Friday, January 24, there was a complete blockage of power and internet until the following Thursday afternoon January 30.

Immediately after the darkness in our streets and homes began, the Parish of Knock exercised its synodal duties. The St John’s Rest Care Centre lived up to its title and became a place of hospitality and warmth. Everybody was welcome to light refreshments each day from 10am to 6pm. The staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly. While we enjoyed hot drinks many people charged their mobile devices and there was internet accessibility. We interacted with each other. We got to know pilgrims from Eastern Europe and America. What a unique pilgrimage they had!

You could stay in the warmth of the care centre for as long as you wished. Members of the pastoral council interacted with the visitors daily.

We were also told that two shower units are available free of charge at Knock House Hotel.

Fr Richard Gibbons, Parish Priest and Rector of Knock Shrine invited all the priests who work at the Shrine to transfer to Knock House Hotel for accommodation, warmth and meals. That was a magnanimous gesture, other priests in the area were also invited to the evening meal in the hotel.

But the generosity was not just on parish property. In the retirement village where I live, we cooked meals where possible for others, visited homes and spoke to one another. The Order of Malta, the civil defence people and the Garda toured the estate. They checked how people were. There was real fraternity and fellowship.

So long as pastoral events such as these take place in the name of Jesus, Christianity has a glorious future… this is just one example of the Church of the future. Who does not want to love and be loved?

There are many words and theories about who we are, but this is real. Jesus walks with us in events I have outlined.

I am sure there are many other examples of love and fellowship in parishes across Ireland and it would be great to see how the Church of 2025 walks the synodal pathway.

Yours etc.,

Tom Grufferty

Knock, Co. Mayo

Reach out to skills and talents of parishioners

Dear Editor, Regarding the ‘Relentless Ministry’ article in this week’s issue, it seems to me that there is a direct correlation between how overloaded a priest is and how much he is willing to let his parishioners take on. In my experience, whilst every priest is coming under more and more pressure, those who have engaged wholeheartedly with a pastoral council are better able to cope than those who have little regard for such councils and persist in trying to do everything themselves. Garry O’Sullivan describes how “many feel entirely unsupported by their superiors, especially as the workload grows”. Some who feel like that might find it more productive to reach out to the skills and talents of their parishioners rather than relying on help from bishops who are themselves struggling to move the various pieces around the board.

Yours etc.,

Martin Harran

Castlefinn, Co. Donegal