A FALL off in vocations has forced Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy
to make a host of clerical changes in the Diocese and bring in a new
team system for many parishes.The changes show the increased movement towards ‘teams of priests’ operating across a number of parishes, a shift very much signaled at the 2016 Limerick Diocesan Synod held in April.
Announcing the changes, Bishop Leahy said: “We have to adapt for the fall-off in vocations and so far the changes we have implemented have managed this new landscape very well. We have teams of priests working across different parishes."
The movement towards teams of priests, he said, "enables us to retain the identity of a parish" even though its "Parish Priest could also be Parish Priest for a neighbouring parish".
On the appointments, one of the most significant is the promotion of Canon Tony Mullins to be Vicar General in succession Msgr Dan Neenan, who has retired to that position.
Canon Mullins is also to be Parish Priest of the parishes of Abbeyfeale and Athea and ministering in the Pastoral Area of Íde Naofa.
The rest of this year’s clerical changes include:
- Canon Donough O’Malley to be Chancellor of the Diocese. He will retire as Parish Priest of St Mary’s and to be appointed to assist the team of priests serving the parishes of St Joseph’s, St Saviour’s and Our Lady of Lourdes, along with his duties as Chancellor.
- Canon John O’Shea to be Parish Priest of Raheen parish and ministering in the Pastoral Area of Pobal Neasáin.
- Fr Tom Coughlan to retire as Parish Priest of Effin/Garrienderk parish and to be appointed to assist the team of priests serving the parishes of Kilmallock, Effin/Garrienderk, Bulgaden and Martinstown.
- Fr Paddy Bowen to retire as Parish Priest of Athea and to be appointed to minister in the Cathedral Pastoral Area.
- Fr Michael Noonan to be Parish Priest of Ardagh and Carrickerry and linked to the team of priests serving the parishes in Our Lady’s Pastoral Area (Newcastle West).
- Fr Tim Curtin to continue as Parish Priest of Coolcappa/Kilcolman and ministering in the Pastoral Area of Tobar Phádraigh/Knockpatrick.
- Fr Willie Walsh to be Parish Priest of the Parishes of Rockhill/Bruree and Ballyagran/Colmanswell and linked to the team of priests serving in the Pobal Mocheallóig Pastoral Area (Kilmallock).
- Fr Des McAuliffe to be Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and ministering in the Thomond Pastoral.
- Fr Seán Harmon to be member of the team of priests serving the parishes of St Mary’s and St. Nicholas.
- Fr Derek Leonard to be Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish (along with his current duties as PP of St. Nicholas’) and member of the team of priests serving the parishes of St Mary’s and St Nicholas.
- Fr Michael Hanley to be member of the team of priests serving the parishes of St Mary’s and St Nicholas.
- Fr Damian Ryan to be Parish Priest of Fedamore (along with his current duties as Parish Priest of Manister).
- Fr Liam Enright to be Parish Priest of Rathkeale and ministering in the Pastoral Area of Curraghchase/Naomh Mhuire.
- Fr Michael O’Shea to be Parish Priest of the parishes of Kilfinane, Glenroe/Ballyorgan and Ardpatrick.
- Fr John McCarthy to be Parish Priest of Dromin/Athlacca and ministering in the Maigue Pastoral Area. Fr Richard Keane to be temporary Administrator of St Saviour’s.