Diocesan Appointments 2024
“Bishop Martin Hayes Announces Diocesan Changes in Kilmore and reflects on their significance compared to other years”
The following diocesan changes will take effect from the 5th October 2024:
- Very Rev. Fr. John McTiernan Adm. Annagh to retire and reside in Cavan.
- Very Rev. Fr. Brian Flynn C.C. Castlerahan to retire and reside in Lavey.
- Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Comiskey P.P. Drumlane to commence a Sabbatical Period until Easter 2025.
- Very Rev. Fr. Sean McDermott P.P Ballintemple and Adm. Kilmore to be P.P. Annagh and P.P Drumlane
- Very Rev Fr. Gabriel Kelly, P.P Kilmainhamwood-Moybologue to be P.P. Ballintemple and Adm. Kilmore and remain as Chancellor of Kilmore Diocese.
- Very Rev Fr. Ultan McGoohan P.P. to remain as P.P. of Killann and to become Adm. of Kilmainhamwood-Moybologue.
- Rev Fr. Thomas Small C.C. Urney & Annagelliff to be C.C. Kilmainhamwood-Moybologue.
- Rev Fr Jordan MacGabhan, newly ordained to be C.C. Urney & Annagelliff.
- Rev Andrew Brady, Permanent Deacon, Urney & Annagelliff to minister in Castlerahan Parish.
Reflecting on these changes, where for the first time Bishop Hayes is appointing a priest to be Parish Priest of more than one parish, he said, “Our clergy appointments are made in view of our increasing awareness of the number and age profile of our priests. The average age is 71 years, with one Ordination thankfully this year and two in the past 4 years for the Diocese of Kilmore. We are grateful for those who are prepared to try their vocation to priesthood. We are overjoyed for those who with God’s help celebrate their ordination and serve in Kilmore Diocese. However, there are simply not enough ordinations in Kilmore Diocese to keep pace with the current and projected number of retirements in accord with the current organisation of our parishes. During the 1960’s we had 31 ordinations in Kilmore, the 1970’s, 21 ordinations, the 1980’s, 26 ordinations, the 1990’s 10 ordinations and since the year 2000, we have had 8 ordinations with 4 incardinations, (that is, of priests applying and being accepted into the diocese). It means an average of one new Kilmore priest in the diocese every two years over the past 24 years. In the meantime, the diocese has welcomed priests from abroad and we are most grateful to them for their generous service.”
About the newly announced retirement of two priests he said, “I wish to thank Fr John McTiernan and Fr Brian Flynn who are to retire from active ministry after over 100 years of service between them in Kilmore Diocese.”
Acknowledging the priests still working in the diocese he expressed his gratitude, “I thank all our priests who are ministering in our parishes, I ask for your prayers for all those priests who are making the transition to a new appointment, and I welcome our newly ordained, Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann.”
Regarding the ongoing need for more vocations Bishop Hayes encouraged prayer, “We continue to pray for vocations to Diocesan Priesthood which are the fruit of the faith-life of our parish communities and most especially of prayer in our family homes. For further details of how the ministry of priests in Kilmore is appreciated please visit www.kilmorediocese.ie/celebrating-priesthood-in-the-diocese-of-kilmore-in-this-year-of-prayer-for-vocations“
In the light of public meetings around the diocese and the new emphasis on team and lay ministry Bishop Hayes said, “Our recent ‘conversations of faith’ in our parishes, our synodal process, have affirmed the vital role the priest in providing for the pastoral needs of our people, the importance of the care of the priest and highlighted the opportunity for greater involvement of lay people in ministry. It now means that we must prepare for Team Ministry involving clergy and lay people and move towards a greater cooperation between neighbouring parishes as is evident in the clergy appointments for 2024. In these latest diocesan changes, parishes are being called into a closer partnership while still retaining their identity as distinct parishes with their respective Parish Pastoral Councils and Finance Committees.”
A reduction in the number of Masses in parishes around the diocese is very much in focus around the diocese and so he commented, “Thankfully, the number of lay people actively involved in parishes in our diocese has remained steady, though the overall Mass attendance figures are down. We cannot continue to maintain a system that has become ineffective with the same schedule of Masses, less attendance and fewer available priests. It is best to have full churches, and fewer Masses and to have a wholesome celebration of the Mass with maximum participation to nurture the faith of each person. The ongoing discussions on our Mass schedule are due to conclude this Autumn in preparation for the implementation of a new schedule on the first Sunday of Advent, 1st December 2024.”
As part of the plan for the diocese Bishop Hayes referred to the permanent diaconate having been relaunched in the diocese, “Over the past year we have launched the promotion of the Permanent Diaconate for men who are willing to give of their time in the service of the Diocese of Kilmore. The ministry of the Permanent Diaconate is not intended to substitute the indispensable ministry of priests nor to replace that of lay ministry. The functions of a Permanent Deacon include presiding at the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, the Rite of Burials, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching and assisting at the Eucharist. Further details are available via email diaconate@kilmorediocese.ie“
About the recruitment of new lay pastoral workers in the diocese Bishop Hayes spoke about a new course being launched this Autumn, “I wish to highlight that we are promoting a new initiative of extending lay involvement in the parishes of our diocese, that is of Lay Pastoral Worker, in accord with the Baptismal calling of each person. Information evenings on this initiative will take place during this coming September with applications being processed during the Autumn and successful applicants will begin their orientation in January 2025. For further information please contact pastoralservices@kilmorediocese.ie””
Asking for prayer Bishop Hayes said, “I ask for your prayers as we, in Kilmore Diocese, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us on our way forward.”
ENDS