THE Catholic Church said yesterday that lay people will celebrate church services "more frequently" in the future as vocations fall.

A sacristan in Ardfinnan in south Tipperary has been leading services all week in the absence of the parish's only priest who is on holiday.

According to a Church spokesman, in the absence of a priest to say Mass, a liturgy of the Word -- involving readings, prayers and the distribution of pre-consecrated Holy Communion -- takes place each day.

"By and large such situations are exceptional, but they are likely to occur more frequently in the future," said Catholic spokesman Martin Long.

"The only minister who can celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist is a validly ordained priest."

Meanwhile, the sacristan involved said parishioners had been told of the arrangement months ago and that nobody had complained, despite a newspaper report yesterday claiming some church-goers had walked out.