The Diocese of Kilmore, of which Father Martin Hayes will soon be bishop, includes almost all of County Cavan and a portion of Counties Leitrim, Fermanagh, Meath and Sligo.
"We will now be in the dreadful position of having to turn some people away from Mass once 50 people are already present,” said Fr Tim Hazelwood of the Association of Catholic Priests.
"We have a Christian duty to pray for the dead," says parish priest Fr Peter Byrne.
Clonmel-based Fr Michael Toomey welcomed news that a Jigsaw project will be located in Thurles over the coming months but warned of a lack of acute and crisis mental health beds.
Fr Michael Toomey backs call for an acute psychiatric facility for Co. Tipperary, which has the highest suicide level in the country outside of Dublin.
The meeting was organised to explore ways in which the diocese can respond to the pastoral needs of parishioners in light of the declining numbers of priests.
School has a fine reputation in hurling - the entire six backs from last Sunday’s All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurling team are past pupils.
Four men to be ordained this weekend for the dioceses of Armagh, Cashel & Emly and Clogher.
