“Living active faith communities that provide an
enriching spiritual space and a genuine pastoral support for people on
the journey of life is our dream. These appointments take place against
the backdrop of many current challenges at parish level. Decline in
faith practice and vocations to the priesthood mean that the way things
have been is not the way they will be in the future.
As a Diocese we are
actively engaging with people and priests to creatively respond to
these challenges and to develop a plan to breath new life into our faith
communities. In certain areas changes to the service provided by the
local priest will inevitably follow.
One priest simply cannot now do
what two or three priests did in the past. I am confident that
parishioners will be sympathetic and generous when it comes to such
changes.
I pray that with
God’s help those taking on these new responsibilities will provide us
with wise and dedicated leadership. I wish to thank the priests involved
who have been so generous in taking on these roles, especially those
who do so in addition to other responsibilities. I pray that they will
be happy and fulfilled in their new appointments.
I
am conscious that we also owe a debt of gratitude to those Priests who
are retiring from positions after a life time of service. Free from the
burden of office, I am sure they will continue to provide invaluable
service in many areas throughout the Diocese.
Thank you for all the work
you have done over the years. I wish you health and happiness into the
future. Let us pray God’s blessings on the work ahead.” (Bishop Michael
Duignan)
Very Rev Msgr
Peter Rabbitte PP VG while remaining as Parish Priest of the Cathedral
to also become Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Parish replacing Very Rev
Patrick Whelan PP (Retiring) (from 30th July 2023)
Very
Rev Michael Dean Mc Loughlin to replace Very Rev Gerard Jennings PP
(Retiring) as Parish Priest Salthill (from 31st of August 2023)
Very
Rev Barry Horan PP while remaining as Parish Priest of Clarinbridge to
also become Parish Priest of Craughwell (from 30th June 2023)
Very Rev Martin Whelan to replace Very Rev Michael Dean Mc Loughlin PP as Parish Priest Moycullen (from 31st of August 2023)
Very Rev Kevin Blade MSC to replace Very Rev Tony Horgan MSC as Parish Priest Tirellan (from 1st August 2023)
Is
é an tAthair Daniel Gallagher a bhí ina riarthóir ar Pharóiste an
Spidéil, atá anois ceaptha ina shagart paróiste ar Pharóiste an Spidéil
(ó 31 Lúnasa 2023)
Rev John Gerard Acton, CC while
remaining as curate at the Cathedral to replace Very Rev Martin Whelan
as Diocesan Secretary and Moderator of the Curia along with acting as
Diocesan Master of Ceremonies (from 31st August 2023)
Rev Charlie Sweeney MCS CC, Salthill to become curate Oranmore Parish (from 31st August 2023)
Rev
Anastasius Ezennata newly appointed part-time Chaplain to the Bons
Secours Hospital, Galway to be curate serving St Patrick’s Parish and
the Cathedral Parish. (from 17th August 2023)
Rev
Noel Gillespie SMA to be priest available pro tem to the East Galway
City Grouping of Parishes (Mervue, Ballybane, Renmore, Castlegar and
Doughiska) (from 31st August 2023)
Very Rev Martin
Whelan will replace Very Rev Barry Horan as Judicial Vicar at the Galway
Regional Marriage Tribunal (from 31st August 2023)
Very Rev Martin Whelan will replace Very Rev Ian O Neil, PP VG as Diocesan Chancellor (from 31st August 2023)
Very Rev Dr Hugh Clifford PP to replace Very Rev Joe Roche PP as Diocesan Nominee to the Board of Directors, COPE Galway.