Speaking to the Carlow Nationalist, Monsignor Byrne said that he had been working both roles, namely Diocesan administrator and parish priest in Tullow for much longer than expected.
“I didn't think we'd have to wait as long for the appointment of a Bishop, and also the role takes me out of the parish a lot which is unfair to parishioners. I do plan to come back to Tullow in due course, when there is a possibility, so it's not goodbye, more au revoir. There is disappointment in the parish but a great understanding, too that I couldn't keep the two jobs going.”
Monsignor Byrne also confirmed that he will now move to Carlow town to continue his role as Diocesan Administrator.
With the former Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Dr Jim Moriarty having stepped down in December 2009, Mgr Byrne said he does not know when a new Bishop will be appointed.
He said, “All indications are there won't be an appointment of a new Bishop before the end of the year.”
He said that the appointment had taken a lot longer than was expected and that there is, “disappointment among some priests,” that an appointment has not yet been made.
“There are a number of vacancies in dioceses across the country, perhaps Rome is waiting to make a number of appointments together.”
Meanwhile the changes proposed by Mgr Byrne Bagenalstown will see curate Fr Paddy Byrne move to Portlaoise.
Fr Byrne, who writes a regular column on the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin website, is the youngest priest in the diocese at 38.
The changes will take effect in the diocese on September 1.