A Toryglen priest has spoken about fears of financial struggle in the coming month, with lockdown slashing chapel income to just 10% of what it once was.

Father Gerald Byrne, who serves Toryglen's Roman Catholic Church of St Brigid, told of how a dwindling income has stretched the chapel's budget, with the church missing out on one of the biggest events in the religious calendar last weekend.

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He said: "We have little income right now, and from speaking to other priests around the city, they're very much in the same position.

"Normally, we would have Easter masses which would bring in money also, but we were in lockdown long before.

"We've had some very kind parishioners contact us to set up standing orders and regular donations to the church, but currently we're probably sitting at around 10% of what we usually take in.

"Unfortunately, we still have bills to pay like electricity. While they'll be lower because we're not using the building as often, we still need to pay them."

While churches and chapels around the city come to terms with the lack of frequent donations from parishioners, Father Byrne has explained that one of the churches outreach programmes at moment is supplying donations for the local foodbank.

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"We're working with Thistle Housing, who have been delivering the foodbank bags we've been making up to locals around the area.

"We are working at filling 50 bags per fortnight, and looking to go up to 100, which we are hopefully on track for."

Father Byrne arrived at the church nine years ago, with Toryglen becoming his fourth parish to work with.

"People in the community have been fantastic, our door has been going once an hour and it's someone else with donations for the foodbank bags.

"In all my years working at other parishes, there just isn't a community like Toryglen.

"In the south east of the city, there is just such a sense of community."

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