IN RECENT YEARS, the Diocese of Limerick, like many others across Ireland, has faced a critical challenge: the significant decline in the number of ordained priests.
In response, the church has increasingly turned to lay members to assume roles traditionally held by clergy, leading to the development of a lay ministry program.
At the heart of this effort is the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, a program coordinated by Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.
Fr Fitzgibbon told the Limerick Post the course offers “more than just the academic piece”.
“The wider program includes pastoral formation, which is crucial. There’s a six-month discernment period before the program begins, giving participants time to reflect on their spiritual journey.”
The program, which has been rolled out in dioceses including Limerick, Killaloe, and Cashel to address the growing need for lay ministers. As Fr Fitzgibbon notes, “with the collapse of vocations to priesthood and religious life, the numbers simply aren’t there to carry out the work that was previously done by ordained priests”.
The program lasts for 30 months, with sessions generally held one weekend per month.
One of the lay ministers who has completed the program is Conn Buckley, a recent addition to the Limerick community who never imagined he would find himself in such a role.
“When I moved to Limerick in 2016, I didn’t really know anybody. I started attending church as a way to connect with the local community, but I wasn’t particularly religious. I joined the choir more as a social activity,” Conn recalled.
He was initially hesitant about participating in the lay ministry program, especially given his lack of religious background.
“When I saw the word ‘ministry,’ I thought, ‘this isn’t for me.’ But the parish priest, Kevin McNamara, encouraged me to give it a try,” Conn explained
“I’d always thought the church was more about control and orthodoxy, but this course was different. It was much more open, encouraging questioning and discussion. For example, I’m passionate about ecology and the environment, and I’ve come to see caring for creation as a spiritual activity, as part of our duty to protect God’s work.”
Anne Mulcahy, another graduate of the program, says the lay ministry has deepened her involvement in her parish.
“I’ve been a person of faith all my life . . .. but I hadn’t studied theology before. The program gave me a new understanding and a love for scripture,” she said.
Since completing the program, Anne has taken on a leadership role in organising special liturgies to engage parishioners.
“If we can connect with people and touch their hearts, then we can make a difference. [We] couldn’t do it without the support of our our parish and our priests.”
To learn more about the programme, visit iips.mic.ul.ie/programmes.
