A shortage of priests will lead to fewer church services this Easter, with some churches unable to hold any services at all, reports Trouw.

Catholic congregations may have to attend a different church if they want to celebrate Easter, the paper says.

The Catholic church says Easter services must take the form of the eucharist – the taking of bread and wine – and this can only be administered by a priest.

With the falling number of priests over the past decades, many parish churches have allowed deacons or pastoral workers to take the eucharist. However, bishops are now insisting the ceremony must now be led by a proper priest, the paper says.