What overseas priests see in the Irish Church

In brief

Priests from Africa and Asia are now serving in Irish parishes, reversing a historical trend where Ireland sent missionaries to those regions to build local Churches.

Fr. Anselm Emechebe MSP, a Nigerian priest serving in Kilsaran, Co. Louth, noted that Irish missionaries helped form the Catholic environment of his upbringing. He described this shift as a sign of a living Church that moves between territories.

Fr. Amos Ruto, who serves in Castletownbere, moved from Kenya to Ireland after spending nearly a year with a bishop from Cork who had worked in Kenya for over 50 years. This preparation helped him transition to Irish parish life. One older Irish priest observed that the country's religious situation has reversed quickly, noting that there were once so many priests in Ireland that not all could be accommodated in their dioceses.