The number of priests in the Dublin Archdiocese will have dropped by 70 per cent from current levels in 2044, while cash reserves at one of its two major charities will run out within 16 years.
Total reserves in the archdiocese are currently â¬359.08 million.
The figures are provided in the 2023 financial statements for the archdiocese, published on its website. The first statement is of the Diocesan Support Services and some other charitable funds administered by the diocese, based at Archbishopâs House in Drumcondra, and the second represents a combined financial overview of parishes in the archdiocese.
The Catholic population of Dublin is approximately 1 million people, serviced through 197 parishes. A total of 447 primary schools in Dublin are Catholic, as are 178 post-primary schools, while thereâs a Catholic representative on the boards of 45 other second-level schools.
âThe actuarial assessment projects a 70 per cent reduction in the number of diocesan priests over the next 20 years due to the ageing clergy. No priest was ordained for the archdiocese this year and only two priests have been ordained for the archdiocese since 2020,â it is noted.
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In 2023, âpayments were made to 331 serving priests and 43 retired priestsâ in Dublin, it said.
Fr Tim Hazelwood, of the Association of Catholic Priests leadership team, said it was not possible to project priest numbers with accuracy. âThe Christian Brothers had a projection (of declining numbers) for 20 years. It happened in 10,â he recalled. âNobody knows. People get heart attacks.â
On the overall decline in numbers of priests, he said, âWeâve been saying it for years. Itâs as plain as the nose on your face. Thereâs nobody in reserve, just plugging the gap.â He thought the pressures involved were unfair on the ageing cohort of priests, who accept a greater burden serving many parishes âout of a sense of duty or for fear of letting people downâ.
He spoke of parishes now where âSunday Mass is on a Thursdayâ, and one diocese where a priest is serving 12 churches. âIn rural Ireland, it is very difficult,â he said. âThe expectation on an older group of priests is unfair.â
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The Dublin financial statement, for charities and services based at Archbishopâs House, found that total reserves there now stood at â¬129.4 million, up from â¬123.4 million in 2022, but it noted that âthe decrease in Mass attendance and financial contributions has a direct effect on the charityâs ability to meet its fixed expendituresâ.
It was anticipated âthe existing reserves will be exhausted by 2041 if income levels reduce as forecastâ, it said
Dublin parishes had reserves of â¬229.6 million as of December 31st 2023, it said.
