St Patrick’s Parish in Belfast has been left with just one priest for the first time in its 200-year history.

Previous years have seen six vicars serving in the city-centre parish. Since 2022, Fr Eugene O’Neill and curate Fr Tony McAleese were the two resident clergymen.

No, Fr Tony is moving to new ministry at Oliver Plunkett Parish, meaning only Fr Eugene remains.

“The bottom line is there just aren’t enough priests to go around and the bishop simply has nobody else to send us, Fr Eugene told Irish News.

The parish is comprised of residents and city-workers, as well as a busy hospital, a large primary school, and several care homes, as well as the new Ulster University Belfast Campus.

“Bishop Alan has a very difficult job trying to find priests for all of the parishes in the diocese when the number of priests has been decreasing rapidly and priests are getting older.”

He has implored his parishioners to assist him in the challenging time ahead: “I would really like to ask for your help as we chart the way forward. I would like you the people of the parish to help me work out the needs of the parish in these changing times. I would really welcome your ideas, your suggestions and your thoughts. I would also challenges people to think of ways that they could serve the parish and help to share the mission of St Patricks. If anyone had a few spare hours each week and would be willing to share their skills and talents I would love to hear from you.

“Things will be different going forward with just one priest but I promise, as does Bishop Alan, that St Patricks will be here for you into the future.”