Why are some diocese small

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Trending Questions. Still have questions? Find more answers. Previously Viewed. Why are a few dioceses smaller in area whilst others are large? Unanswered Questions. What characteristics of a tragic hero does Macbeth possess and banquo lack? That is nine episcopal vacancies to be filled by next year, with a new Archbishop of Dublin to be appointed in when Archbishop Diarmuid Martin reaches 75 and a new Bishop of Ferns that year also, when Bishop Denis Brennan is Or will they too be persuaded to hang on into old age?

If not it will bring the number of episcopal vacancies in Ireland to 11 within the next two years, which amounts to well over a third of Catholic bishops on the island. This is not a crisis. As they say, it is an opportunity. The island of Ireland has a population of about 4. It has one archbishop and seven auxiliary bishops.

Ireland has four archbishops, 22 bishops, and two auxiliary bishops, 28 in all, for about a million fewer Catholics than are in the archdiocese of Los Angeles. The time has come to discuss amalgamation. In such crisis it is possible to overcome resistance that may have been unmovable not so long before before. It is said that when the previous papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown , who moved to Albania last year, mooted the idea of amalgamating some dioceses at a meeting of the Irish Catholic bishops in recent years he was met with a stony silence.

He may have gone to pastures new, but the issue remains as pertinent as ever and may have to be addressed by his successor, Archbishop Jude Okolo. The general outline of all Catholic and Church of Ireland dioceses in Ireland today was established at the Synod of Kells in , all of years ago. This was before the Norman invasion and before the establishment of most counties in Ireland today, which is why no diocese in Ireland concurs with county boundaries.

The dioceses are older than the counties in most cases. It is an understatement to say the Synod of Kells was intended to meet the needs of a very different Ireland.

One where, for instance, it was deemed wise that every diocese have access to sea, river or lake as an escape route. The Church of Ireland has long since amalgamated its dioceses into 12, including two archdioceses, and with ongoing discussion of the possible amalgamation of Tuam into another one or two dioceses, which would reduce the number to However, there is resistance to this too, based on tradition and identity. But is it not time for another synod, or some such, in the Irish Catholic Church to look at diocesan structures in the light of modern needs.

There are many reasons why in some instances amalgamation would be a good idea. It would reduce the cost of administration and pressure on finances. It would reduce the number of bishops, which would speed up decision-making and put less pressure on an ever smaller pool of talent from which to select deserving candidates. Above all it would help ensure the protection of children. Dromore, with 23 parishes, is one of the smallest dioceses in Ireland.

That was in December , more than six years before the current furore in Dromore over the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations there against Newry priest Fr Malachy Finnegan which has led to the resignation of Bishop McAreavey and a special Police Service of Northern Ireland inquiry. So, looking at the map of Irish Catholic dioceses, why not amalgamate Dromore with Armagh archdiocese, bringing its total of parishes to 84? That would still be four parishes fewer than neighbouring Down and Connor diocese mainly Antrim and parts of Down , which has 88 parishes.

Similarly, the two neighbouring dioceses of Kilmore 36 parishes and Clogher 37 could be combined, giving a total of 73 parishes. While the Catholic population in the U. The situation means that many dioceses are in the position of supporting a diocesan infrastructure — chancery, tribunal, central school administration, social services apostolate — with fewer dollars, fewer priests, and fewer practicing Catholics.

That administrative challenge may well be among the disincentives for episcopal candidates, especially among those dioceses which are in bankruptcy. Share The Pillar. In short, the Congregation for Bishops may soon decide that the best way to get good episcopal leadership is to have fewer diocesan bishops — and, to make that happen, fewer dioceses.

Pope Francis has emphasized in his papacy the importance of focusing on evangelization, the importance of the mental and spiritual health of bishops, and the importance of detachment from institutional sacred cows. To address those things, it would not come as a surprise if the next prefect of the Congregation for Bishops begins consulting broadly about the prospect of systematic diocesan mergers in the U.

The alternative might be more interminable waits for priests willing to say yes to the martyrdom of being a bishop. The Pillar Subscribe Sign in. About Archive Help Sign in. Share this post.

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