A formal amalgamation of two dioceses, closer cooperation between parishes and an increased role for lay people in sacraments are on the cards as the Catholic Church in Galway seeks to meet the challenge of a declining number of priests.

The Connacht Tribune understands that, following a conference looking at the ‘restructuring and renewal’ of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, and the Diocese of Clonfert, it has been agreed that “radical new approaches” will be required.

Among those will be a heavier reliance on lay people and volunteers within the church to assist at times such as funerals, as the county’s aging population of priests struggle to meet increasing demands for their services.

A city priest told the Tribune that this was already happening in many instances, but that with every year that passes, the requirement for help is increasing.

“One of the biggest challenges for priests is funerals but there is a role for the laity there, stepping in for removal prayers that a priest is not required for,” he said.

A joint statement issued by the two dioceses set out that its two-day conference in Clare had committed to “working out a plan for consultation” as “standalone parishes are becoming a thing of the past”.

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