The Church is considering flying priests and bishops around western New South Wales to reach people in isolated areas, reports the ABC.
The Wilcannia-Forbes diocese, which covers over 400,000 square kilometres, is currently operating without a bishop and minus two priests.
Other church groups within the region equip priests with pilot licences and small aircraft to enable them to visit all parts of their parishes.
The Administrator for the diocese Bishop Kevin Manning says they are discussing a similar idea. "We've already been making inquiries with private plane owners to try and cut down on some of the travel entailed in visiting the diocese and it's essential that the people in the parishes be visited."
"(With) the possibility of some of the priests from overseas having fulfilled their agreement with the diocese to be here for two years ... later in the year we could be down four priests."
Comments