The president of the National Conference of Priests of Ireland, Father John Littleton, has said that declining numbers was putting "a severe strain" on many clergy.
Speaking at St Patrick's College Maynooth yesterday, where the NCPI is this week holding its annual general meeting, he said this was an issue which needed to be addressed "in the interests of both priests and the people they serve".
He was also critical of what he regarded as a lack of balance in media coverage of clerical child sex abuse cases, where, as he saw it, "all priests are being tarnished and labelled".
The number of priests in ministry was continually on the decrease, yet the workload remained constant, he said. "Some priests are on-call around the clock seven days a week - and this is not sustainable in the long-term. There will be no easy solution but we must find a way of meeting the needs of our people now and into the future," he said.
"Despite falling Mass attendances the number of public Masses being celebrated has changed little.
"Even for people who do not attend church regularly there is a strong commitment to the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and Marriage.
"Priests continually work with people at times of tragedy and have a special role with families at times of illness and bereavement." Though this was privileged and rewarding work, because of dropping numbers, "for many priests, some of them elderly, this is a difficult time," he said.
Welcoming the statement from retired District Court judge, Ms Gillian Hussey, on Monday,naming those who will conduct an independent audit of child sexual abuse cases in each diocese and religious congregation on the island, he said it would have "the full support of priests throughout the country".
He also welcomed the fact that the audit's interim and final reports will be published. Critical of media coverage of the clerical child sex abuse scandals, he appealed for balance.
"In the ongoing and justified efforts by some media to report on the child sexual abuse issue all priests are being tarnished and labelled. Sometimes there is little attempt to find balance or context.
"Priests are also human beings whose primary focus in life is a commitment to God, the Church and the congregations they serve. Because of the inexcusable crimes of a few, priests are now experiencing concerted negative media attention on a daily basis as they endeavour to deal with personal issues and priestly duties," he said.
The NCPI fully recognised that child abuse was " a dreadful crime and that those responsible must be brought to justice," he said.
"However, we would ask that the majority of priests who make a genuine commitment to their work be afforded some semblance of balance in media coverage at both local and national level.
"As well as being accurate, media should also attempt to be fair," he said.
Addressing the conference yesterday morning the director of the Bishops' Western Theological Institute in Galway, Father Eugene Duffy, said that despite declining numbers and the impact of recent scandals, Catholic priests in Ireland were slow to attend renewal courses. He also emphasised the need for ongoing education as the theological expertise of the people in the pew "often surpasses those who may be preaching to them on a Sunday morning".
