Bishop Of Killaloe Admits Closure Of Some Clare Churches Is Being Looked At

The Bishop of Killaloe says permanent closure may soon be a reality for some Clare churches amidst an ongoing "crisis of faith". A number of appointments will take effect in the Diocese of Killaloe in late July of this year as the Diocese faces a never-before-seen fall in priest numbers, with 27 of its 58 parishes without a resident priest. The decline in Catholicism nationwide has been a popular talking point in recent weeks with the census figures showing a 10% drop in those who identify as Catholic from 79% in 2016 to just 69% last year. Bishop Fintan Monahan has admitted that certain Clare churches are under crippling financial strain due to a drop-off in the numbers attending services.