Image source: Killarney Parish
The recruitment of a number of priests from abroad is helping to stave off the vocations crisis in Kerry with clerics from Africa and India now serving in key roles in the diocese and priests from Poland also helping out when needed.
At the annual Chrism Mass in Killarney’s St Mary’s Cathedral, at which the oils used in the sacraments throughout the year are consecrated, Bishop Ray Browne said there are now five missionary priests from Kenya – three from Eldoret and two from Kitale – working in the Diocese of Kerry.
Fr Vitalis Barasa has been assigned to the parish of Killarney, Fr Timothy Kiplagat and Fr David Rugutt are both in St John’s Parish, Tralee while Fr Sospeter Kangongo and Fr Amos Surungai Ruto are working in the parish of Our Lady and St Brendan’s Parish, Tralee.
In addition, a priest from India, Fr Arulappa, a member of the Camillian Order who specialises in hospital chaplaincy, has been assigned to Kerry University Hospital.
A Polish chaplaincy is also provided in the diocese and several of the retired priests that attended the Chrism Mass – at which all priests renew their vows – also returned from serving on missionary work abroad.
Bishop Browne said it gives special reason this year to be mindful aspect of the role of the Church in a worldwide context.
“In our worship, in our thanksgiving and in our prayers for our needs let us unite with Christians throughout the world and with dioceses worldwide, mindful that they too have their Chrism Mass,” he said.
Image source: Killarney Parish
Speaking last February, Bishop Browne said the situation regarding the shortage of priests was a major challenge with many of those currently ministering reaching retirement age and just four priests in the entire diocese are aged under 50.
While there are currently five priests from Kenya helping out in parishes around the county, that number will be exceeded by the number of retirements in a few years.
Bishop Browne said some people will remember 25 or 30 years ago when there were 120 priests in the Diocese of Kerry with three in every town parish and two in many rural parishes while secondary schools also had a full-time priest either as chaplain or teaching religion.
Only Killarney and Tralee now have three priests and thee have been just three men ordained in the diocese over the past six years.
Parish secretaries and sacristans have had to take on considerably more work but there is a need to get the laity more involved in the day-to-day running of parishes.
To that end, 25 lay pastoral leaders were commissioned recently, having completed a two-year course, and they will help out in their parishes for a few hours every week.
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