The Bishop of Killaloe believes big urban areas in this diocese may have to rely more on lay people to preside over funerals down the line, due to ongoing priest shortages.
It follows the introduction this week in the Catholic Diocese of Clogher of lay funeral ministers, who will be able to lead the liturgy when a coffin arrives at the church, along with the rite of committal at the graveside.
This has been in place in the Diocese of Killaloe since 2000, when the shortage of priests was beginning to become more acute, with the situation having since intensified.
Twenty-four new Ministers have been trained in recent times, half of those in the area of pastoral care and Bishop Fintan Monahan says the intention is to intensify training so that lay people can help more with rituals.
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