More than 20% of priests and brothers have died in past three years

30 comments
  1. Threads about religion in r/Ireland can be really toxic and this is no different.

    There is a lot to criticise the structures and hierarchy of the Catholic Church over,buy equally I’m sure that many of these men gave much service to their communities and probably received very little in return.Including from the same church which failed them in many ways too.

  2. If they let priests marry, and the Vatican wasn’t so damn spooky, there’d be lads joining up left right and centre. Handy number in the hood.

  3. I have no love for religion but I can’t tell you the amount of comfort I’ve seen provided by priests and and people of the church, to those who do need it. The last few years has taught me to respect that a lot more

  4. I don’t think theres anyone joining anymore. And why would they?

    If the catholic church wanna stop this they should let them marry and let women be priests too. Sad that these priests died, but have no sympathy for the dying organisation

  5. I’ll admit I understand why people feel that it’s insensitive to celebrate this but it’s hard not to feel, at least a sense of general relief that this organization is effectively falling apart now.

    I wouldn’t go as far as to say dead or even dying exactly, because I think a lot of Irish people while not practicing Catholics are “cultural Catholics” for lack of a better word.

    But the desire to baptise kids or have church weddings for the days out doesn’t produce priests, and without priests the organization will inevitably fade more and more. I’d be curious to see what a Catholic church in Ireland looks like in 10 more years.

    To paraphrase Johnny Cash, “may all the world forget you ever stood and all the world regret you did no good”

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