We are waiting for the Diocese to again advertise the vacancy for our next Priest-in-Charge.

Since the last update, there have been significant developments to report. Until now, our vacancy has been advertised as an interim post, meaning it was time‑limited. Despite two rounds of advertising, no applications were received. Regrettably, this is now a common situation across the country, reflecting the national shortage of clergy available to serve vacant parishes.

The Diocese has now offered—and all six parishes have agreed—to advertise instead for a Priest‑in‑Charge on the basis of a 3.5‑day per week appointment. Given that, even collectively, the parishes are not in a position to fund a full‑time Priest‑in‑Charge, this is a development we warmly welcome.

Part‑time posts are increasingly common, largely because many parishes can no longer afford a full‑time priest. Importantly, however, this role will not be an interim appointment and therefore will not be time‑limited, which is a wholly positive step forward. It is nevertheless vital that everyone remains realistic: this is a half‑time post, not a full‑time one, and expectations of what can be achieved will inevitably differ from those associated with a full‑time appointment.