It’s understood a local committee, which has been set up, will seek a meeting with Bishop Doran to ask him to reconsider his decision to move Fr Michael Hickey.
A petition has also been circulated among parishioners.
Fr. Hickey, aged in his eighties, has served as a very popular curate in the Drum/Clonown area for the last seven years.
However, in a recent letter to parishioners, Bishop Doran confirmed that the priest would be returning to his religious order, the Holy Ghost Missionaries, at the end of August.
“I take this opportunity to thank Fr. Michael who has served generously in the parish for seven years, and well beyond the normal age of retirement,” the Bishop said in the letter.
Last night’s meeting in Drum Parish hall was told that there was “a deep sense of sadness combined with shock and anger at the way this decision was communicated to Fr Michael himself and to the parish community”.
“Many people shared their personal testimony of how important Fr Michael's presence and unique pastoral care has helped them and so many others in our community, particularly attending to people at times of isolation, sickness or bereavement,” said a post on the Drum Community Centre Facebook page.
There was overwhelming support at the meeting that Fr. Hickey should be allowed to continue living and serving in the parish for as long as he is willing and able to do so.