Priest Shortage (Ireland): ‘When my mother died, I had to ring around to try and find a priest to cover for me. I know priests who went back to work the weekend after the death of their mother or father because there was no one to cover for them,” Fr Tim Hazelwood says.

Excerpts:

"As the number of priests dwindles and their workload soars, Ireland’s aging clergy have a heavy cross to bear."

‘When my mother died, I had to ring around to try and find a priest to cover for me. I know priests who went back to work the weekend after the death of their mother or father because there was no one to cover for them,” Fr Tim Hazelwood says.

 

https://www.catholicbishops.ie/dioceses/

Source (Sept. 2026): https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/one-saturday-we-had-a-funeral-a-wedding-a-first-communion-and-then-mass.-it-was-too-much-irelands-priests-are-feeling-the-pressure/a/145220315.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawUpRrVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzQwOTk2MjYyMzA4NTYwOQABHtwLD5uooDVRFHEf93dESmMRhGoEgi72s5JWQYCUXgnKSxaku9lXroaRVFgx_aem_UI2ODoX4TICAF1IzfdDxFg