The Franciscan Order in Ireland is to undergo a major reorganisation as its numbers decline. Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent, reports.
Following a two-day meeting in Dublin, attended by 108 of the Order's current 120 members, it was announced last night that within the next five years it would be "unable to provide full-time resident friars for Multyfarnham, Limerick, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Wexford and Rossnowlagh.
"For as long as possible some services will be maintained in these places."
The Irish Franciscan presence in Rome and Brussels is also under discussion. Currently just six men are training for the order in Ireland, while the largest number of its current membership is aged between 60 and 70. In 1970 there were over 400 Franciscans in Ireland.
Currently the order consists of, approximately, 60 per cent priests, 30 per cent brothers.
It was founded by St Francis of Assisi, and tradition holds that it has been in Ireland since 1228. Its foundation at Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath is understood to date from the 13th century.