Navan curate on move to Westmeath and new parish priest for Kilskyre-Ballinlough

The changes to diocesan clergy announced at the weekend sees Fr Declan Smith becoming the new parish priest of Kilskyre-Ballinlough to replace the retired Fr Paddy Kearney, while Navan curate Fr Robert McCabe has been appointed parish priest of Castletown-Geoghegan and Tyrrellspass in Co Westmeath in succession to Fr Barry Condron.

The announcement of clerical changes, most of which effect the Westmeath end of the diocese, was circulated prior to the weekend, and will be effective from 10th July next.

Fr Smith is currently parish priest of Taghmon, Co Westmeath, and previously served as curate in Cortown and Trim. He was ordained in his father's native Newcastle, Moynalty, by Bishop John McCormack in 1982, and has been known for his equestrian interests over the years. He has also been involved in the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association.

Wilkinstown native Fr Seamus Mulvany is to retire as parish priest of Tubberclair (Glasson), and Fr Phil Gaffney, Administrator, Mullingar is taking on to be Administrator of Taghmon.

From Kinnegad, Fr McCabe, currently curate in St Mary's Parish, Navan, and formerly CC, Stamullen and chaplain to the Defence Forces in Gormanston, and also involved in the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, replaces Fr Barry Condron, who becomes PP of Tubberclair, and who was previously a curate in Kiltale.

Fr Norman Allred, curate, Mullingar, is to be curate, Taghmon; Fr Marcin Pietras, Polish Chaplaincy to be curate Mullingar, in addition; Fr Andre Stolnicu, curate, Mullingar to return to Diocese of Iasi, Romania, on completion of his five-year term.

Fr Seamus Mulvany has served as parish priest of Tubberclair for 33 years. He was educated in St Finian's College, Mullingar, and in Maynooth prior to his ordination in 1965. In the 1960s he had spells in Tullamore and with the Irish Chaplaincy in London.

In 1969, he returned to the Meath diocese, where he served in the parishes of Beauparc, Kentstown and Ashbourne, before being appointed parish priest in Tubberclair in 1993. He is brother of the late Fr Peter Mulvany, PP, Moynalvey and Adm, St Mary's Parish, Navan. A special Mass and community gathering to celebrate his years of service is being planned in parish for Sunday 28th June.

Bishop Tom Deenihan expressed his gratitude to both Fr Kearney and Fr Mulvany for their long and faithful service to the Diocese. Both men have served the Diocese for over 55 years each, he said. Bishop Deenihan also recorded his appreciation to Fr Andrei Stolnicu who returns to the Diocese of Iasi in Romania.