The latest drop in the number of people identifying as Catholic in Ireland is a ‘positive challenge’ for priests.

That is according to Abbeyleix Priest Fr Paddy Byrne who was speaking to Lunchtime Live after the CSO reported a 10% drop in Roman Catholics in Ireland.

The figures from last year’s national census show that the number of people identifying as Catholic fell from 79% in 2016 to 69% last year.

“I'm greatly surprised and somewhat enthused that there are still 3.5 million citizens in the Republic that ticked the box as members of the Roman Catholic Church,” Fr Byrne told Lunchtime Live.

“I was surprised, I would have thought it would have been a lot less.”

Fr Byrne said that many people hold “negative narratives” around the Catholic Church.

“Obviously I don't have my head in the sand, a lot of people who tick the box as members of the Catholic Church have questions and issues around where we're going,” he said.

Diversity

Fr Byrne said the rise of the immigrant population to Ireland has brought “huge life and energy to our faith community.”

“We've just gone through First Communion season, we have our confirmations, baptisms, marriages and it's one of the positive things in a time when I'm very concerned about the rise of xenophobia,” he said.

“People from India, the Kerala region in particular, the Philippines, Africa – so I think it's a positive narrative.

“The fact that they're a part of the community that I serve and love and are very visible and present among us – our challenge is to welcome to include and certainly I think it's a very, very positive challenge.”

No religion

Fr Byrne said he is “not surprised” by the number of people who identify with having no religion.

“I don't make a judgement about that and frankly, I highly respect it – people have the choice,” he said.

“I think my prerogative is to support those who have made the choice to tick the [Roman Catholic] box – 70% almost of the population – and to engage to listen and to allow them positive experiences.

“Life is tough, and I think no matter what spirituality you have, to have hope, to have a context that there is something greater – he vast majority of people have demonstrated [this].

“ 3.5 million people – are doing it in 2023 after a church that has gone through two decades of dramatic change.

“I'm really overwhelmed that it's such a huge number.”

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