Having reviewed the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Bishop Alan McGuckian S.J. announces the following retirements and appointments with effect from Saturday 15th August 2026.
Retirements
Very Rev Canon Sean Emerson formerly Parish Priest of Antrim, to be Pastor Emeritus.
Very Rev Canon Eddie O’Donnell formerly Parish Priest of St Brigid’s, Belfast, to be Pastor Emeritus.
On behalf of the faithful of the Diocese, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Very Rev Canon Sean Emerson and Very Rev Canon Eddie O’Donnell who have retired from the office of Parish Priest after many years of ministry and fruitful service.
Both of these priests have generously offered to assist within their resident Family of Parishes when possible.
Appointments
Very Rev Canon Colm McBride to be Parish Priest of Loughguile.
Very Rev Peter Carlin to be Parish Priest of St Anthony’s in addition to St Matthew’s.
Rev Joe Davis to be Administrator of Carrickfergus.
Very Rev Paul Fleming to be Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Kilwee.
Very Rev Martin Graham to be Parish Priest of Drumbo and Carryduff and Parish Priest of Saintfield.
Very Rev Henry McCann to be Parish Priest of St Malachy’s, Belfast.
Very Rev Thomas McGlynn to be Administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral Parish, Belfast.
Very Rev Patsy Mulholland to be Parish Priest of Antrim.
Very Rev Michael Sheehan to be Parish Priest of St Brigid’s, Belfast.
Very Rev Rory Sheehan to be Parish Priest of Glenavy and Killead.
Rev Thomas Hampton recently ordained to be Curate in Ballymena.
Deacon Joe Baxter to be Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish.
Very Rev Eamon Devlin CM to be Priest in Residence in Sacred Heart Parish.
Rev Jain Mathew to return to the Syro-Malabar Diocese in Rome.
Rev Jose Bharanikulangara to be Curate in Antrim.
Fr Babu to be Assistant Priest Holy RosaryParish & St Bernadette’s Parish & Chaplain to Syro- Malabar Community.
I warmly welcome clergy from the Society of Divine Vocations into the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Known as the Vocationist Fathers they are an international Congregation, founded in Italy in 1920 by Saint Justin Maria Russolillo.
Their primary mission is to support and guide individuals discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
They serve in parishes in 13 countries around the world.
We are blessed to have them come to our Diocese where they will serve in the Parishes of St John’s and Corpus Christi.
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Very Rev Martin Magill to take sabbatical leave.
Very Rev Paddy McCafferty to take sabbatical leave.
Very Rev Peter Owens to take a leave of absence.
Very Rev Timothy Bartlett to be Episcopal Vicar for Social Affairs
Very Rev Darren Brennan to be Episcopal Vicar for Youth Ministry in the Diocese, continuing in his role as Parish Priest of St Paul’s.
Rev Tom Layden SJ to be Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism
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.
Finally, I express my gratitude to the many permanent deacons, religious and lay faithful across the Diocese of Down and Connor who collaboratively support the priests and minister alongside them in our Families of
Parishes, particularly in the fields of funeral ministry, adult faith development and parish leadership.
With every blessing and good wish,
I gCroí Íosa
+Alan McGuckian SJ
Bishop of Down and Connor