A local Bishop has compared the Catholic Church to rural GAA clubs who are struggling to field teams. Bishop Kevin Doran was addressing a meeting of around 100 people in Monksland last night to discuss the future amalgamation of the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin. The Bishop highlighted the ageing priest population and the declining number of people actively involved in the Church.
He told those present at the Athlone Springs Hotel that the boundaries were outdated and that the two dioceses would become the first in the country to amalgamate. Local Councillor Laurence Fallon, who attended last nights meeting, said the Church was evolving. Speaking to Shannonside News, he expressed his belief that lay people would become more involved in the running of the church in the future:
