Irish diocese trains lay people to lead liturgies

A series of new initiatives is under way in the Diocese of Limerick as it begins to implement recommendations from a 10-year policy document produced by the Limerick Diocesan Synod last year, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

More than 90 actions were put forward in the “Moving Forward Together in Hope” pastoral plan for the diocese.

These include the training of lay parish volunteers to lead liturgies on designated dates when priests are not available.

Two lay representatives from Limerick have already begun liturgy training courses at St Patrick’s College Maynooth that will prepare them to undertake lay-led liturgies of the Word and other occasional liturgies such as Good Friday ceremonies, prayers for the dead in funeral homes and reception of remains at funerals.

Welcoming the implementation phase of the synodal process, Bishop Brendan Leahy said so far the process had been “a thoroughly participative experience”.

The new initiatives also include the launch in the spring of a working group to look at leadership roles for women in the diocese.

There will also be a redoubling of efforts to encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life with the establishment of a forum to promote vocations as well as the diocese networking with cross-community family support groups in an effort to ensure a more inclusive Church emerges in Limerick.