Parishes make increasing use of married men as deacons

The number of vocations to the priesthood in County Galway is showing a significant increase compared to a decade ago – but the clergy are not being complacent.

There have been two ordinations in the Galway Diocese already this year with another one planned for the Summer. There have been ordinations in the Tuam Archdiocese as well in recent years and one is planned for next year.

But the interest in the priesthood has intensified in recent years and currently there are five studying for the priesthood in the Tuam Archdiocese – there is one from Clifden, two from Claremorris, one from Castlebar and Gerard Quirke from Parkview Drive in Tuam.

And Fr Fintan Monahan, who is both Vocations Director and Secretary to the Archdiocese of Tuam, told the Connacht Tribune that the level of interest in the priesthood was encouraging.

He said that apart from the five clerical students – or seminarians – there were around seven people interested in a life in the priesthood. He admitted that this is a very different situation to 10 years ago when there were very few.

Fr Fintan said that while this was encouraging, he was disappointed that the number of vocations across Europe was down compared to other parts of the world. “We just have to keep trying but I am encouraged by the level of interest,” he added.

The lack of priests in Galway has resulted in a proposal that married men should preside at weddings, funerals and baptisms.

They would have to go through a three year training programme and it would result in the ordination of married men into the priesthood – although they would not be in a position to conduct a full Mass.

It would allow for any man over the age of 40, married or not, to become a deacon and they would be allowed to preach at Masses, carry out wedding ceremonies and preside at funerals.

The Archdiocese of Tuam, which covers most of Galway and Mayo, is expected to look for lay people to fill the roles of priests who are retiring.

It is estimated that by 2020 the 55 parishes of the Archdiocese will be served by approximately 50 priests, some 20 less than are currently in active ministry.

This will mean a growing number of parishes will not have a resident priest.

A document issued by the Archdiocese underlines the importance of the promotion and nurturing of vocations to the priesthood, saying that this is the responsibility of every member of the church community.

In planning for the future, it stresses that while every parish may not have a resident priest all parishes will continue to have the services of a priest who will work as part of a team in groupings or ‘clusters’ of parishes.

Baptisms, weddings and funerals together with the main parish celebrations such as first communion and confirmation will continue to be celebrated in local parish churches.