As I announce the Diocesan Appointments for 2023 I want to thank most sincerely all the priests for engagement in this process.
The appointments can no longer simply mean moving a priest from one parish to another but, in the context of our new reality, these changes also now mean that all priests must cast their nets wide into the newly formed parish cluster groups and pastoral areas.
The importance of working together has never been more urgent than it is now. While change is never easy it is now wholly necessary for the continuation of the work we all do to further the Lord’s mission.
I want to congratulate all our priests who are celebrating particular jubilees at this time.
It is interesting to note that our Diamond Jubilarian Class, Sean Conlon, Phil O’Shea, Eddie Aughney, Eddie Moore and the late Ger O’Byrne, were part of a group of nine men who were ordained for the diocese in 1963.
The changes that have occurred in these last 60 years would never have been imagined on their ordination days and bring very much into focus the importance of supporting and praying for vocations in this ‘Year of Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood’.
The appointments which are to take effect on Friday 4th August are as follows:
Fr. Willie O’Byrne PP Kill to retire and reside in Naas
Fr. Pat O’Brien SPS CC Rathvilly to retire to St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan
Fr. Ger Breen PP Stradbally to go on sabbatical, residing in Doonane
Fr. Padraig Shelley PP Arles in addition to become Adm. Doonane
Fr. Joe O’Neill CC Portarlington/Emo to become PP Kill (and to assist in the Cluster of Naas, Sallins, Two-Mile-House and Kill in Naas Pastoral Area)
Fr. David Vard CC Portlaoise to become Adm. Stradbally (while assisting in the wider Portlaoise Pastoral Area)
Fr. Eugen Dragos Tamas CC Newbridge to become CC Portarlington /Emo (and to assist in neighbouring parishes in the Portarlington Pastoral Area)
Fr. Adriano de Oliveira CC Kilcock to become CC Portlaoise
Fr. Antony Arackal (Kerala, India) to become CC Newbridge
Fr. Kolwani Nyoni to assist in Kilcock while continuing to pursue his studies in St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth
Kindly keep in your prayers all who take up new appointments this year and the people and the parishes where they will serve.
+Denis Nulty
Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin
27 June 2023