The Church in Ireland needs a whole “mindset shift” over lay ministry, as dioceses and parishes seek to embed a synodal approach to local leadership, a leading theologian has said. Irish dioceses have a “brilliant opportunity” to initiate a more “inclusive” model of leadership, according to the Dean of Theology at St Patrick’s Pontifical University,…
Lay-led liturgies, including “Eucharistic para-liturgies”, church closures and centralised administration for parish clusters are on the cards as dioceses face “significant change” if they are to thrive.
Lay people will increasingly be asked to step up to the plate in one of Ireland’s largest diocese as priest numbers are expected to fall to dramatically. The Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Down and Connor will say this Sunday that “very soon” it’s likely the celebration of a Requiem Mass will “no longer…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady