Down and Connor Diocesan Appointments - 21st July 2023
Having reviewed the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese of Down and Connor, the Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Donal McKeown, announces the following retirements and has made the following appointments which take effect from Saturday 19th August:
Retirements
Very Rev Anthony Alexander to be Pastor Emeritus.
Very Rev Paul Alexander to be Pastor Emeritus.
Very Rev Anthony Curran to be Pastor Emeritus and to assist as Priest in partial
ministry and resident in St Colmcille’s, Ballyhackamore
Very Rev Patrick McWilliams to be Pastor Emeritus and to assist as Priest in partial
ministry and resident in Cargin.
Administrators
Very Rev Gerard Fox in addition to his appointment as Diocesan Secretary to be
Administrator Ballyclare
Very Rev Canon John Murray in addition to being Parish Priest of Downpatrick, to be
Administrator Saul
Very Rev James O’Reilly to be Administrator Duneane
Very Rev Joseph Rooney in addition to his appointment as Judicial Vicar to be
Administrator Portglenone
Very Rev Robert Sloan to be Administrator Ardkeen
Assistant Priests (Curates)
Rev David Aksenczuk to be CC Antrim and to be nominated to the Northern Trust
(HSCNI) for Chaplaincy duties in Antrim Area Hospital
Rev Andrew Black to St Mary’s University College, Belfast and to assist at
weekends in the West Belfast Pastoral Community
Rev Edward McGee in addition to his appointment in St Mary’s University College,
Belfast, to provide assistance at weekends across the Diocese
according to need.
Rev Robert McMahon to be CC Downpatrick and resident in Saul
Rev John O’Laverty to be CC Holy Family and assist in the Armagh Inter-
Diocesan Marriage Tribunal (Down and Connor Office)
Diocesan Administration
During a period of sede vacante, the office of Vicar General ceases. An Apostolic Administratornmay, however, confer delegated power to a Vicar General until a new Bishop takes possession of the See.
To assist in the ongoing governance of the diocese, and having consulted the College of Consultors, I have delegated the powers of a Vicar General to the Very Rev Canon John Murray PP, Downpatrick and Very Rev Eugene O’Hagan, Chancellor, both of whom possess delegated executive authority within the diocese.
I would like to record my thanks to all involved in and affected by these appointments for their co-operation and I wish them God’s blessing, good health and fulfilment in their respective ministries.
On behalf of the faithful of the diocese, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Very Rev AnthonyAlexander, the Very Rev Paul Alexander, the Very Rev Anthony Curran and the Very Rev CanonPatrick McWilliams who have relinquished the office of Parish Priest after many years of ministry and fruitful service. With the people of the diocese, I am very grateful to them for their willingness to be of continued pastoral service to the diocese as their circumstances permit.
I also express my gratitude for the ministries of the Rev Kieran Creagh C.P., who continues to temporarily Administer the parish of Sacred Heart, the Rev Gary Donegan C.P., recently appointed as Administrator of Holy Cross Parish, Ardoyne, the Rev Derek Kearney S.M.A. who continues to temporarily Administer the parish of St Teresa’s, the Rev Paschal Kearney C.S.Sp. who assists in ministry in the parish of Ramoan (Ballycastle-Rathlin Island) and the Rev Patrick O’Keefe C.Ss.R., recently appointed Administrator of St Gerard’s Parish.