Clergy 'Driven to Breaking Point' Over Decline in Number of Priests
More and more priests are being driven to 'breaking point' due to the demands of serving in multiple parishes.
The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) found a surge in elderly clergymen suffering mental and physical exhaustion, with many barely able to meet their increased workload.
- The number of serving priests in Ireland has halved to nearly 2,000 over the past 30 years.
- Most serving priests are now in their 70s.
- There are only 13 seminarians in training.
The demands on serving priests have never been greater, while the future of the Church in Ireland has rarely looked bleaker.
Ahead of its annual general meeting, the ACP expressed concern over the rising numbers of their dwindling community suffering poor health and isolation.
Author's summary: Priests are exhausted due to workload.