The withdrawal of the Franciscan brothers from Athlone is a clear symptom of the ongoing crisis in the religious sector in Ireland.
That's according to Roscommon native and Religious Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times Patsy McGarry.
His comments come following the shock news this week that the order will be leaving Athlone entirely next January following an 800 year association with the town.
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Speaking on the Let's Talk show this afternoon, the Ballaghaderreen man says the decision taken by the Franciscans in Athlone , and the Dominicans in other areas are over recent years is just the start of what will happen to the broader religious sector in the next decade.
