PROPOSAL FOR MARRIED MEN TO BE ORDAINED IN TUAM ARCHDIOCESE

Date Published: 17-Apr-2009

Married men may help run the Tuam archdiocese of the future.

New proposals have been drawn up on how the diocese might be best served by a reduced number of priests.

By 2013, there will be fewer than 70 priests available to serve in the Tuam archdiocese, 30 less than present.

According to today’s Irish Independent, a working group, set up by Archbishop of Tuam Dr Michael Neary, has come up with proposals on how the diocese would best be served under these conditions.

A proposal is that the diocese explore the possible introduction of the ‘permanent diaconate’- where married men become ordained to carry out ministeries but cannot say mass.