Tim Hazelwood, ACP Leadership Team: Plans to merge Munster dioceses…

The following correspondence has come into my possession from a diocese in Munster where it has been distributed amongst the priests. Its origins seem to be the Munster Bishops yet the priests and people of the other diocese whose lives will be affected by the impending decision are not being informed…not a very synodal process.

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An Aid to exploring the Merging of Diocese in the Province of Cashel

At the request of the Holy See, the Bishops of Ireland have been considering how our diocesan structures can best serve our shared mission in the years ahead.

This is not simply a question of boundaries, administrative adjustments or the sharing of resources more effectively. 

Primarily it is about how we can better proclaim the Gospel, support our clergy, religious and lay people, and strengthen our parishes and communities for evangelisation.

As part of this discernment, the bishops of the Cashel Province considered a range of possible configurations.

The following options are presented for further reflection and consultation across the seven dioceses of the Cashel Province.

  1. Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly and Diocese of Limerick merge.
  2. Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly, Diocese of Limerick and Diocese of Killaloe merge.
  3. Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly and Waterford and Lismore merge.
  4. Diocese of Limerick and Diocese of Killaloe merge.
  5. Diocese of Limerick and Diocese of Cloyne merge.
  6. Diocese of Cork and Ross and Diocese of Cloyne merge.
  7. Diocese of Cloyne and the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore merge. ‎ ‎
  8. Diocese of Kerry and Diocese of Limerick merge.
  9. Diocese of Kerry and Diocese of Cloyne merge.
  10. Diocese of Kerry and the Diocese of Cork and Ross merge.

Maintain the current diocesan structures – ruled out by the Papal Nuncio!

These are not decisions or an agreed map for the future, rather material for further discussion. As bishops, we recognise that dioceses are communities of faith with their own histories, relationships and traditions. Any change must therefore be approached with prayer, sensitivity and care for the people and communities involved.

Synodal discernment also asks each of us to look beyond our own self-interests and to consider what will best serve the Catholic Church in Ireland and in particular Munster as a whole. Everyone in every parish is encouraged to make their voice heard when opportunities for consultation are announced locally by their diocesan bishop.

Finally, we encourage everyone to actively engage in this process, and to the keep this central question at the heart our prayer and reflection:

How can we best equip the Catholic Church in Munster for mission, evangelisation and the service of God’s people?

With every blessing,

Bishops of Munster Province

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