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In a letter issued on June 10, Bishop of Elphin and Achonry Kevin Doran informed parishioners that Fr Ebuk is being reassigned to Frenchpark and Fairymount.
He will be replaced by Father Alan Conway, who will take on additional responsibility for Ballinameen and Breedogue. Fr Conway, who is currently Parish Priest of Croghan, Cortober and Drumlion, will now have responsibility for five parishes.
He will be assisted by Fr John Mahony, who has recently been appointed Director of Accord Marriage Care for the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin. Fr Mahony will be based in the parochial house in Ballinameen and will work alongside Fr Conway in providing pastoral care across Ballinameen and Breedogue.
Bishop Doran said the changes would have little immediate impact on day-to-day parish life. Both Ballinameen and Breedogue remaining separate parishes, with each retaining its own pastoral councils and finance councils in line with diocesan policy.
“Each of the priests will be able to plan a day off and, if one is unwell or on leave, there will still be one of your own priests available,” he said.
“As time goes on, I hope that there will be more common initiatives and more sharing of resources between the parishes, because we are - as Saint Paul says - one Body in Christ. I have confidence that, if this initiative has the practical support of the parishioners, it will result in a deeper and more fruitful relationship between the two parishes.”
Bishop Doran acknowledged that it is “becoming more challenging all the time to find priests to fill vacancies in our parishes” before thanking Fr Mahony and Fr Ebuk for their willingness to take on new assignments.
The bishop thanked the parishioners for their ongoing contribution to the life of the church. He also paid tribute to Fr Ebuk for his service in Ballinameen and Breedogue, as well as to Deacon David Muldowney for his assistance.
Fr Ebuk is a member of the Missionaries of Saint Paul, a religious congregation founded in Nigeria by the Saint Patrick Kiltegan Fathers Missionaries.
He was first assigned to Roscommon in 2016 and has served as a priest for over 35 years.