The Catholic Diocese of Cork and Ross is among the latest to recommend clustering parishes as a way of addressing declining priest numbers, decreasing attendances at Mass and changing lifestyles.
A draft pastoral strategy document, currently being circulated in the diocese, has proposed the establishment of "pastoral areas" consisting of at least three parishes which would "make reducing numbers of Masses less painful".
Similar proposals are being considered in other dioceses, including Killaloe, Limerick and Kerry.
The pastoral strategy document has said that regional co-operation between parishes had "huge advantages", and would ensure "that we do not have talk of 'priestless parishes'."
Pilot areas had been designated, and a review of their progress would inform future decisions. The document suggested related questions should be considered.
These included whether "people should be asked to formally register to be counted as part of the parish of their choice" and whether "a boundary commission be established by the bishop to allow redrawing of parish boundaries...?"
People might also consider "what should be the ideal age at which parish priests are appointed and retire" and whether "parish priests be appointed for a fixed term of office?"
Previous consultations revealed parishioners and many clergy disapprove of "one-man- parishes". The document asked whether the diocese should "formally do away with that model, phase it out, or retain it?"
Parishioners, it said, were calling for a style of leadership which was inclusive and less hierarchical. "They want to be included in decision-making at parish and diocesan level."
Some clergy felt they did not have the skills or training to minister alongside lay people, others saw this as essential, while some wanted to continue ministering alone.
"Many lay people resent the fact that the local clergy have too much control in the parish, and only allow the model of ministry and parish that suits them personally. The lay faithful want to assist and serve with ordained and vowed personnel, but this must be as respected partners," the document said.
Ongoing education and training "are normative now in every sphere of life except in the Church", it said. "Those who have been trained for ministry (traditionally priests and religious) have been expected to survive with a once-for-life formation whose relevance is constantly challenged by the rapid socio-religious and cultural changes of our times."
It proposed integrating ongoing/relevant training in ministry for clergy and laity.
