by Kathy Masterson
THE Dominican order is to withdraw from St Saviour’s Priory in Glentworth Street due to a decline in vocations.
The order, which has maintained a presence in Limerick since 1227, says that the local community will be consulted ahead of the departure of its three priests from the city.
Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has expressed his sadness over the decision.
“The Dominicans have made an immense contribution to faith in Limerick over the past 800 years and they will be greatly missed in the Diocese, not least by their parishioners. While my first reaction was of sadness, I also at the same time understand the reasons behind this as Dominican clergy numbers have declined dramatically in recent decades,” he said.
“At Diocesan level we are also faced with significant challenges by the fall in clergy numbers and have begun the process of trying to manage this for the years ahead as priests cannot continue to provide the level of services they traditionally have across the diocese.”
Bishop Leahy added that he plans to make contact with the Dominicans “to explore further some of the issues that arise for us all”.
The decision to withdraw from four parishes across Ireland – Limerick, Athy, Waterford and Drogheda – was made at a meeting of the Dominican Order’s leading members at their headquarters in Tallaght, Dublin last week.
The order has not yet announced a timeframe for its departure from Limerick.
There are currently only 125 Dominican priests in Ireland, and just 51 of these are aged under 65.
Some of the priests are still in training, while others are not in robust health.
The principal ministry of St Saviour’s Priory was the formation of young Dominicans, as it is the location of the novitiate of the Irish Dominican province.
The novitiate is the first stage in formation as a Dominican friar and lasts one full year.
The foundation stone of St Saviour’s Priory was laid on 27 March 1815, and the church was opened the following year.
The Dominicans in Limerick also helped to fund the Dominican Biblical Institute on Upper Cecil Street, a teaching and research institute that runs courses from undergraduate to doctoral level.
