| They are St Matthew’s in Whitfield and St Teresa’s in Graham Street. In Perth, a decision will be made after further consultation on which of two parishes, St Mary Magdalene’s or Our Lady of Lourdes, is to close.
The closures are a result of consultations with priests and people from every parish in the diocese in recent months.
A programme of rationalisation was inevitable given the shortage of priests. This follows the death of one priest and the impending retirement of another four.
Aware of the problems his diocese was facing, the Bishop of Dunkeld, the Rt. Rev. Vincent Logan, launched the Duc In Altum (Launch into the Deep) process last year which was aimed at addressing issues and engaging in positive planning for the longer term, as well as addressing present needs.
He said, “We had to be realistic and take ownership of the facts. None of us is unaware of the difficulties we face.
“Duc In Altum stimulated much reflection and discussion across the diocese and I was extremely heartened by the positive response of everyone, priests and people alike.
“I am aware some priests are now being asked to take on responsibility for even more parishes and I am grateful to them for their willingness and generosity in doing so.
“With fewer priests, parishes will become larger and this could result in priests becoming overburdened. Lay people will have an important role to play by taking on tasks such as administration.” |
