Sarah Mac Donald: Bishops prepare for ‘a lot more driving’ as Pope Francis opts for slimmed-down Irish church

Biggest shake-up since 12th century will see more resources shared between dioceses

Pope Francis announces number of changes in biggest restructuring of Irish Church in 900 years

Sarah Mac Donald

“I am so excited about this, it is great news – the west is awake,” octogenarian Sr Agnes Curley said in response to the announcement in Tuam Cathedral yesterday that Pope Francis has decided to streamline the Irish hierarchy.

This downsizing of the episcopal bench by three bishops and the union of two sets of dioceses in the west of Ireland is the first major shake-up in the configuration of the Irish Catholic Church since the 12th century.