In a recent census, Buncrana reported the highest percentage of people attending Sunday Mass in Ireland. However, shortages in the number of priests mean that Parish Priest Fr John Walsh has had to cancel 9 a.m. Mass in Cockhill as well as all of the town's Station Masses this autumn.

With the recent diocesan changes announced by Bishop Hegarty, the parish curate Fr Con McLaughlin has moved to Carndonagh, where he has taken on the role of Parish Priest. He was not replaced. In addition, Fr Eddie McGuinness will be away for the next six weeks in Dublin receiving medical treatment.

This means that, in the town at least, Fr Walsh is left to cope on his own.

Fr Walsh told the Journal this week: "This is the first time, to my knowledge, that the Station Masses have had to be cancelled. It's unfortunate, but I felt I had to act immediately to deal with the situation we've found ourselves in."

Arrangements for Confessions and Baptisms have also been modified. The new time for Confessions in the Oratory is 10.30-11.30am each Saturday. All Baptisms in the town will now take place at 3pm in Cockhill on Saturdays only.