Ten possible configurations for diocesan mergers across Munster have been circulated for consultation, with the option of retaining the current diocesan structures reportedly ruled out.
A document attributed to the bishops of the Cashel province outlines possible mergers involving all seven dioceses, including combinations of Cashel and Emly, Limerick, Killaloe, Cloyne, Cork and Ross, Kerry, and Waterford and Lismore.
The document states that maintaining existing diocesan structures has been “ruled out by the Papal Nuncio”, although it stresses that no final decisions have been made.
Fr Tim Hazelwood of the Association of Catholic Priests has questioned the lack of consultation with clergy and parishioners.
Meanwhile, discussions on merging Clogher and Kilmore dioceses are continuing, two years after they began. The Irish Catholic understands that some clergy in Clogher would prefer a merger with Armagh, but no final decision has been reached.