Future priests cannot be ‘lone rangers’, says Fr Declan Hurley

Fr. Declan Hurley said that future priests must be prepared to work with other clergy and lay ministers instead of serving parishes alone. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr. Hurley stated that the era of priests ministering single-handedly is ending and that they will need to work within larger pastoral units.

Fr. Hurley, who currently serves as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Meath and Parish Administrator of Navan, will begin a new role in Rome this January. He has been appointed Director of the Propaedeutic Programme at the Pontifical Irish College. He noted that his experience chairing the National Synodal Team provided insight into the environment in which future priests will serve.

He said that those entering the priesthood will need a strong sense of priestly identity, a prayerful and evangelizing approach to ministry, and the ability to collaborate with others. Fr. Hurley said his appointment was a surprise, as he had expected his next assignment to remain within the Diocese of Meath.