Diocese of Lubbock announces “Priestless Weekends” guidelines

Patience, understanding needed as diocese experiences critical shortage of priests

LUBBOCK - Following many discussions and meetings, Most Rev. Robert Coerver, Bishop of Lubbock, and consultative bodies of the diocese have established policies to alleviate pressure on the priests who serve the 60 Catholic churches across the 25,000 square miles of the South Plains of Texas comprising the diocese.   On December 17, 2025, Most Rev. Robert M. Coerver, Bishop of Lubbock, shared a document outlining the new policy regarding the Absence of Priests from Parishes.    “The Diocese of Lubbock now finds itself with a critical priest shortage,” the document reads. “The recent deaths of three priests, one pastor who retired to India due to terminal cancer, and the other two who were very active replacement priests when parish priests were away from their parishes, has left the diocese without sufficient coverage when priests need to be away from their parishes.”   The new policy has been established to allow priests of the diocese to take their vacation time, a total of 30 days, as specified by Canon Law, which also states that a priest may under normal circumstances, celebrate one Mass daily, with exceptions when pastoral need requires more.   According to the Absence of Priests document, every parish in the Diocese of Lubbock will face the possibility to be without a priest to celebrate Masses in the parish at least two weekends a year. 

The temporary guidelines include reducing the number of masses in a parish for one or two weekends and preparing provisions for overflow crowds; sharing neighboring parishes’ Mass times; and contacting the Diocese of Lubbock Office of the Chancellor prior to the absence of the priest to be tasked with finding a suitable replacement priest if one is available.     “The centralization of this task is necessary to assure appropriate coverage of parishes throughout the 25-county expanse of the Diocese of Lubbock,” the document reads. “In such cases, the chancellor must be informed of the name and contact information of a designated person for the/each parish in case of last-minute changes, sick calls, etc.”    The document also provides guidance on when the chancellor’s office will instruct that a Mass or Masses will need to be cancelled, or a deacon will lead a Communion Service (Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest).

“Participation in the full celebration of the Eucharist is the norm for Faithful of the Diocese of Lubbock and is always to be given first priority when replacing a priest on weekends.."

“Participation in the full celebration of the Eucharist is the norm for Faithful of the Diocese of Lubbock and is always to be given first priority when replacing a priest on weekends,” the document reads. “Communion Services are a valid option in those extreme cases when it is impossible to supply a priest for Masses in a parish.”    The document also includes guidance for instances when a priest is away on weekdays including contacting the Diocese of Lubbock Office of the Chancellor when possible; a deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Communion distributing Communion within a simple liturgical service.   The guidance also includes the possibility of a need to cancel Mass or Confessions and encouraging parishioners to gather in praying the Rosary, Scripture study or in some other prayer including Liturgy of the Hours and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.   “I pray - and I ask all the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Lubbock to join me praying - for understanding and patience as we all work through these new adjustments,” Bishop Coerver said. “I also ask you to pray for your priests.”  

“I pray - and I ask all the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Lubbock to join me praying - for understanding and patience as we all work through these new adjustments,” Bishop Coerver said. “I also ask you to pray for your priests.”

Look for the Winter 2026 issue of the South Plains Catholic magazine in mailboxes for an in-depth feature story on the document.   The entire document and a summary of the document are available on the Diocese of Lubbock website: https://catholiclubbock.org/PriestlessWeekends.html