A SNAPSHOT in time taken of the state of the 33 parishes in the Raphoe Diocese earlier this year shows a considerable decline in those attending church and a dwindling number of priests to minister to them.
The results of the survey have led Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian to say that “our planning for the future is not simply a matter of managing decline.
“Every time we gather at Mass we celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord among us, the One who has come to save the whole world”.
In his comments on the results he added that “change is certainly coming” and he invited everyone to hear the Lord say; ‘Do not be afraid for I am with you’.
The parishes were divided up into six Deaneries and the survey results analysed to assess Mass attendance per church on week days and at vigil and Sunday Masses.
It details the number of Masses per parish and how busy each parish was during the survey period from Monday, February 13 to Sunday, March 5.
The results, now available on the Diocesan website, are being discussed among priests and parishioners to determine how the clergy and faithful will fare into the future as the number of priests reduce.
The survey also counted how many baptisms, weddings and funerals were conducted in each of the diocese’s 71 churches by the 48 active priests.
Bishop McGuckian, commenting on the survey results, described the attendances as much lower than they had been before, adding that they still do not have an accurate percentage of the Catholic population in each parish.
“When we view the figures we recognise that congregations are for the most part very small. It will be important for each area to ascertain what its real needs are going forward and how the Worship of God can be organised in the best way possible.
“If we let ourselves be guided by the Lord we will find ways of allowing Him to be present in our communities more powerfully than ever,” he said.
Ages of attendees
The survey showed that some 64.7 per cent of those attending Mass across the diocese are over 40 years of age. More than one third, 35.3 per cent, are under the age of 40. The 48 active priests of the diocese, which does not include those who are retired, celebrate 122 weekend Masses per week and 236 on weekdays.
This works out on average of 2.5 weekend Masses per priest and 5 weekday Masses per priest. This does not include funerals, weddings or other services.
Cork native Brian O’Driscoll of the Pastoral Centre in Letterkenny who collated the survey results pointed out that the age profile of these active priests are as follows: three in their 80s; fourteen in their 50s; eight in their 70s; ten in their 40s; ten in their 60s and three in their 30s.
“This current age profile tells us that a further shortage is coming and changes are coming sooner for some parishes.
“We have four men in formation for priesthood at present. Although we are blessed to have people in formation, it is still not enough to cover a shortage down the line,” he said.
Looking ahead to five years, the survey results show that even in a best case scenario, without any sudden departures, there will be eleven less active priests which will be countered by only one ordination. This will leave 38 active priests to cover 33 parishes and 71 Churches. In ten years time, should the current trend continue, there will be more parishes than priests. Again, the best case scenario is that we will have 35 to 40 priests to serve 33 parishes and 71 Churches.
This reduction in numbers also has financial implications, not least the maintenance of church property, increased heating costs putting a strain on parishes which are already struggling.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week Mr O’Driscoll said that Raphoe Diocese was in a healthier state than some other dioceses.
“My role was just to gather in the information. The priests will now go back to the parishioners and have a discussion on how things might move forward for the future,” he added.
The comprehensive results of the survey for the 16 deaneries are on the diocesan website at www.raphoediocese.ie.
Concluding his comments on the survey results, Bishop McGuckian said: “I am asking the priests in each deanery to dig more deeply into the findings as they relate to their local area. A conversation among the priests would be a first step leading to a consultation involving the community. Our challenge is to make some decisions now that will stand us in good stead, 10 years and 20 years from now.”
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