The Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes, has published a pastoral letter which aims to manage ministry into the future throughout the Diocese of Kilmore.
According to Bishop Hayes, changing the Church profile means a new era for priests and the people of Kilmore.
Bishop Hayes says, It is the right and responsibility of lay people to be involved in our parishes, highlighting that they can no longer rely on a model of parish which depends solely on the priest in view of the reduced number and ageing profile of priests.
Following an extensive consultation process, Bishop Hayes has developed a plan that will involve Parish Pastoral Councils and wider parish communities in discussions on enhancing the role of lay people in parishes.
The consultation also reviewed the number and frequency of Masses in parishes.
Bishop Hayes says he see's this as an opportunity to bring lay people into their own as future faith leaders.
The Bishop explained the detail of his letter: "I say in the letter that it's the right of every lay person to be involved in our church and what i want to do is put in place a new model whereby lay people and priests can work together under the heading, and I use the term, 'core responsibility'.
"For a long time, the priests have been the gatekeeper who've been given the responsibility - and they've taken it on - but now is the time for teamwork," Bishop Hayes said.
