A new ministry of “lay pastoral leader” has been introduced in a diocese in Ireland in response to the decline in priest numbers and the increasing number of parishes with no resident priest.
The new role, which was launched in Kerry on Sunday by Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne, is voluntary and will involve some of the ministries traditionally carried out by priests.
According to a spokesperson for the diocese, lay pastoral leaders will work alongside and complement the ministry of priests and deacons in leading, co-ordinating and supporting pastoral activities in their local area.
This will include preparation for the sacraments and co-ordination of initiatives to support families presenting their children to receive sacraments; co-ordinating visitation of the housebound, elderly and those in nursing homes and celebrating moments of prayer with them; faith formation for adults and youth ministry, as well as co-ordinating various liturgical ministries.
Close to a quarter of Kerry’s diocese’s 53 parishes, which cover parts of west and north Cork, are now without a resident priest, and most priests are over 50.
Speaking about the new ministry, Bishop Browne acknowledged that, “In an era when priests and religious were more than plentiful, much was left in their care.” However, in Ireland, he said parish life has changed greatly and one obvious change is fewer clergy.
With fewer clergy, an increasing number of parishes have no resident priest and “people are concerned about the future of their parishes,” he acknowledged.
Describing every church community as a family, Bishop Browne stressed that each member of the family “plays a vital part; together, all take responsibility for family life.”
He said that in the future, parishes will be served by a team of clergy and lay pastoral leaders working together as a team. “Sustaining the fulness of life in the parish family requires the participation, commitment and leadership of the laity.”
“The future church will be different, not better or worse!” he emphasised.
Training for the new volunteer ministry will begin in September 2022. It is expected that there will be a team of lay pastoral leaders working in each pastoral area in Kerry Diocese over the coming five years
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