Diocese of Derry and Raphoe faces tough choices over parish ministry

The Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry and Raphoe has been warned that it must confront difficult decisions about the future of parish ministry.

At the Diocesan Synod held in the Everglades Hotel, Derry, the Venerable Archdeacon David Huss presented an interim report from the Diocesan Review, highlighting pressures on clergy numbers, congregational life and the sustainability of existing church structures.

The Review Steering Group has overseen extensive research in 2025, including clergy consultations, an online survey and seven regional meetings with churchwardens, secretaries and treasurers. A separate working group has examined structural issues since June.

Archdeacon Huss noted demographic changes, with an ageing population and fewer children, leading to reduced commitment and giving. While some congregations are holding steady or returning to pre‑pandemic attendance, others are seeing gradual declines.

More urgent is the fall in stipendiary clergy: of roughly 420 full‑time rectors in Ireland, about 60 % are aged 55 or over, and current parish vacancies stand at around 20 %. This could nearly double in the next decade.

Four options were outlined: larger parish groupings, greater use of part‑time and Ordained Local Ministry, combined groupings with ministry teams, or closing smaller churches – the latter described as “unthinkable” but under consideration.

The Review Working Group aims to present substantive proposals at next year’s Synod, giving the Diocese a further year to develop recommendations.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Michael D Beckwith / Pexels.