A number of clerical changes affecting parishes across Laois have been announced by Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
The changes, announced today, will impact Portarlington and Emo, Portlaoise and Stradbally, with retirements, departures and new appointments confirmed.
In Portarlington and Emo, Fr Tom Dooley is set to retire from his position as Parish Priest, while Fr Eugen Dragas Tamas, CC, will return to the Diocese of Iasi in Romania.
Fr Pat Hughes, currently Parish Priest of Myshall and Clonegal, will take over as Parish Priest of Portarlington and Emo.
Fr Piotr Jakubiak, who serves as Polish Chaplain, will also become a curate in the Portarlington-Mountmellick Pastoral Area while continuing his work supporting the Polish community.
There will also be changes in Portlaoise, where Fr Erik Ebot, SVD CC, has been recalled by the SVD Order.
Fr Ciprian Matei, CC, is also set to leave Portlaoise and return to the Archdiocese of Bucharest in Romania.
Fr Petru Medves, currently CC in Abbeyleix, Ballinakill and Raheen, will additionally become a curate in Portlaoise.
Fr Medves will join Fr Adriano de Oliveira and Fr Simon Jin, with the three Portlaoise curates assisting with ministry throughout the wider Pastoral Area.
Meanwhile, in Stradbally, Fr David Vard, the current Parish Priest, will take a personal leave of absence – doing so with the full support of Bishop Nulty.
The changes form part of a wider series of appointments and changes announced across the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin by Bishop Denis Nulty.
Bishop Nulty said: “I am pleased to announce today the Kildare & Leighlin diocesan clergy changes for 2026.
“These changes are challenging on all fronts, and I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the cooperation, generosity and understanding from all our clergy.
“With a big reduction in the number of priests available this year, I am reminded of just how much each priest gives of himself when appointed to a parish.
“This is never taken for granted and we should always be thankful for their work and ministry.
“Clergy who are moving and those who are taking on more, have my deepest respect and support.
“Going forward parishes will undoubtedly be without a resident priest and so with fewer clergy it is more important than ever to pray for our priests and to encourage vocations.
“I am in contact with a number of international priests who hopefully will be in a position to take up appointments in the diocese over the coming months.
“I ask you to keep all our priests and deacons in your prayers, to help them and to support them at this important time in our diocese. The changes come into effect on Friday, September 18, next.”
PORTARLINGTON AND EMO
Fr. Tom Dooley, PP Portarlington & Emo to retire
Fr. Eugen Dragas Tamas, CC, Portarlington & Emo returning to Iasi Diocese in Romania
Fr. Pat Hughes, PP, Myshall & Clonegal, to become PP, Portarlington & Emo
Fr. Piotr Jakubiak, Polish Chaplain, to become CC in the Portarlington Mountmellick Pastoral Area, while continuing to support the Polish community
PORTLAOISE
Fr. Erik Ebot, SVD CC, Portlaoise, recalled by the SVD Order
Fr. Ciprian Matei, CC, Portlaoise returning to Bucharest Archdiocese in Romania
Fr. Petru Medves, CC, Abbeyleix, Ballinakill & Raheen, to become also CC, Portlaoise. The three curates in Portlaoise (Fr. Adriano de Oliveira, Fr. Simon Jin and Fr. Petru Medves) will assist in ministry in the wider Pastoral Area
STRADBALLY
Fr. David Vard PP Stradbally taking personal leave of absence