Diocese plans cuts to parish numbers
Fewer priests to serve and dwindling congregations
Parishes throughout the Motherwell Diocese are facing a major shake- up as plans to address falling congregation numbers were revealed.
Bishop of Motherwell, the Right Rev Joseph Toal, outlined plans to amalgamate some parishes via a video shown to congregations throughout Lanarkshire recently.
Among the issues raised was the falling number of priests, dwindling congregations and ‘too many Masses’ being celebrated at smaller parishes.
Bishop Toal told parishioners: “In 2000, there were around 100 active priests in the Diocese.
“Now the number is below 60, of whom 11 are aged 70 years or over.
“We have nine men studying for the priesthood.
“A number of priests have joined us from other countries but it is unlikely that we will have sufficient priests to maintain the present provision in our parishes and provide the necessary chaplaincies at the same time.
“As part of the strategy for the Diocese, we have already begun planning to amalgamate some parishes - forming one new parish from two, or three, of our present ones.
“Where possible I would try to maintain our present churches, but the provision of Masses and other services must be planned, based on the needs of the newly- formed parish.”
He added: “It will be important to set out a timeline in which the planned amalgamation will need to take place.
“We have already started the process in a small number of parishes.
“There is obviously some pain in the proposals I am making. It is however increasingly difficult to maintain the current position. “I think now is the time to move ahead. “As Bishop it is important for me to care for the clergy of the Diocese.
“My proposal to reduce the number of parishes will assist the clergy to cope with the added workload they face.”
As we went to press, there was no news of what parishes would be affected.
A Diocese spokesman said: “Bishop Toal is considering how best to proceed.
“It is likely that they will look firstly at the parishes which have already been linked for some time and share a parish priest, but no final decisions have been made yet.”
There is obviously some pain in the proposals. It is increasingly difficult to maintain the current position Bishop Joseph Toal