Diocese depending more on foreign priests as parishes to collaborate more

Reduction of clergy sees parishes lose PPs

The stark reality facing the Diocese of Meath and its manpower levels is clear as Bishop Tom Deenihan announced his clerical changes at the weekend, which see a number of parishes coming under the administration of neighbouring parish priests.

These parishes include Moynalvey-Kiltale, Longwood-Killyon, Summerhill (Coole-Dangan), and Ardcath/Curraha. Bishop Deenihan said that it was increasingly difficult to keep priests in all parishes at this time.

"In this year’s appointments, it is clear that the diocese is becoming increasingly reliant on priests from Romania, Africa, and Poland," he stated. "In addition, there has been a reduction in clergy in some parishes, and there is also a need to encourage collaboration between parishes.　 All this highlights the need for vocations promotion and support in the diocese and I thank the vocations promotion team for their work in this regard."

The bishop wishes to see a pastoral council in each parish and supports in place for them in the future, and has appointed Fr Derek Darby, who had been combining the roles of Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Development and Parish Administrator of Mullingar, as full-time Vicar for Pastoral Development.

The Bishop thanked Fr Jim Lynch, former Ashbourne pastor, who will retire as parish priest of Beauparc-Kentstown, for his service to the diocese over the past 51 years. He is being succeeded by Fr David Brennan, currently PP, Kiltale-Moynalvey.

Bishop Deenihan thanked the priests involved in the appointments for their generosity and expressed the confidence that as restrictions lift and as public worship recommences in the church, there would be a collaboration in parishes to make our churches safe as places of prayer and sacrament in the weeks ahead.

The following appointments will take place on 3rd July next:

Fr Jim Lynch, PP Beauparc to retire.

Fr Derek Darby, Adm and Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Development, Mullingar to Pastoral Development and Planning full-time for three years term.

Fr John Conlon, PP, Duleek and Adm, Donore, to be PP, Drogheda, and Adm, Holy Family.

Fr Michael Meade, PP, Summerhill to be PP, Kilcormac.

Fr Phil Gaffney, PP, St Mary’s, Drogheda, to be Adm, Mullingar.

Fr Declan Kelly, PP, Stamullen to be PP, Kilcloon, and Adm, Moynalvey.

Fr Stan Deegan, PP, Kilcloon to be PP, Killucan.

Fr Seamus Houlihan, PP, Kilcormac to be PP, Tubber.

Fr. Brendan Ferris, PP, Ardcath and Curraha, to be PP, Stamullen.

Fr David Brennan, PP, Moynalvey to be PP, Beauparc.

Fr John Nally, PP, Ashbourne, on loan to the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore for three years.

Fr Michael Kilmartin, PP, Longwood to be PP, Ashbourne.

Fr Mark English, PP, Killucan to be PP, Duleek and Adm, Donore.

Fr Joe Campbell to be CC, Tullamore.

Fr Kevin Heery, CC Mullingar, to be CC, Curraha and Ardcath.

Fr Noel Weir, Adm, Rosemount to be CC, Navan.

Fr Conor Magee, CC, Mullingar to be CC, Multyfarnham.

Fr Januz Lugowski, Polish Chaplaincy, to be CC, Moynalvey in addition.

Fr Louis Illah, CC, Navan to be CC, Longwood.

Fr Andrei Stolnicu, Diocese of Iasi, to be CC, Mullingar.

Fr Vincent McKay, CSSp to be CC, Summerhill.

Fr Paul Crosbie, PP, Trim, to be Adm, Summerhill in addition.

Fr Thomas Gilroy, PP, Kinnegad to be Adm, Longwood, in addition.

Fr Gerry Stuart, PP, Ratoath, to be Adm Ardcath and Curraha, in addition.