Local priests on the move

The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Francis Duffy, has announced the annual diocesan appointments which will mean relocation to new parishes for a number of local clerics.

The appointments, due to take effect from the weekend of August 31/September 1, will see the current Ballinahown-based Fr Aidan Ryan, parish priest of the large Leamonaghan parish, which straddles parts of Westmeath and West Offaly, moving to become Spiritual Director at the Irish College, Rome, while Fr Brendan O’Sullivan, a curate in Kiltoghert in Leitrim takes his place as parish priest.

Fr Pierre Pepper, currently curate in Banagher and Cloghan, will move to Athlone as part of the changes, while Fr Patrick Kiernan, previously based in Mount Temple, returns from study leave to assume parish priest duties in Cloghan/Banagher in place of Fr Michael Scanlon who has retired.

Another Mount Temple connection concerns Fr PJ Hughes, who will relocate from the Leamonaghan parish in Offaly, to become parish priest in Mullahoran in Cavan, while Athlone-based curate Fr Mark Bennett moves to Carrick-on-Shannon as part of the appointments. 

Finally, Fr Joseph Okere will become the resident priest in Leamonaghan parish, having spent time as a curate in Longford town, with Fr Joseph Ukut will take his place.