Irish parishioners lead masses as priest numbers fall

2 September 2012 Last updated at 09:14 ET Help

Parishioners in some parts of Ireland have started to lead Catholic masses, as the number of priests in the country falls.

Only 16 young Irish men are due to start training for the priesthood in 2012, compared to more than 150 per year in the 1980s.

Not all members of the Church have welcomed the move but there is little sign of the laity-led services ceasing.

Andy Martin reports.

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