Monday 15 July 2024:  Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has expressed his gratitude to priests moving from parishes under this year’s diocesan changes and acknowledged that moving away is not easy for priest or parish but is by way of necessity.

Some 13 changes have been announced for the diocese and, according to Bishop Leahy, these are part of an ongoing transition from a Church with strong to significantly reduced clergy numbers.

Bishop Leahy said that due to the fall-off in vocations, we must adapt so that we can continue to provide for the spiritual needs of the faithful.

“Adapting,” he said, “involves clergy changes, more lay involvement and, indeed, working closer together as a Church.”

Two of the 13 changes this year relate to retirements. These are Fr. Eugene Boyce, who will retire as Moderator and Co-Parish Priest of Pastoral Unit 11 comprising the parishes of Adare, Cappagh, Croagh/Kilfinny and Askeaton/Ballysteen; and Fr. Joseph Hayes, S.J., who retires as Co-Parish Priest of Slí Padraig Pastoral Unit comprising the parishes of Donoghmore/Knockea/Roxboro Our Lady Queen of Peace and Holy Family but who will assist in the Unit.

Said Bishop Leahy, “Appointments involve moving, change, re-adjustments for priests. It is, indeed, an unsettling time and increasingly so for priests as they age. I am grateful to them for their generous willingness to take up new appointments. I am grateful to all priests who work quietly day by day in the service of people at key moments of family life – baptisms, family celebrations, weddings and funerals.”

Bishop Leahy also recognised the difficulties that changing ministry can bring. “I am very grateful to all who have taken on new appointments. I recognise there is pain in leaving any ministry where you have become familiar with places and hold people fondly in your heart. There is also the challenge with the task re-locating and then getting to know new people all over again.

“It’s an element of the Cross in the life of Diocesan priests. Thanks to those priests who are changing appointments this year for taking up this aspect of the Cross”.

While the fall-off in priests continues to present significant challenges, Bishop Leahy said that there are “green shoots” emerging in terms of lay ministry.

This September the diocese will ordain Tim Collins from Croagh as a Deacon and he will begin his ministry in St. Nessan’s Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of Patrickswell/Ballybrown, Mungret/Crecora/Raheen, St. Paul’s, Kildimo/Pallaskenry and Kilcornan. He will be based and ministering mostly in the parish of Mungret/Crecora/Raheen under the good guidance of Canon John O’Shea.

Separately, over 20 people in the diocese have completed their lay-ministry programme and have taken up voluntary roles across parishes and communities. These include leading public prayer, assisting with funeral liturgies, engaging in ecological concerns, music ministry, praying with the Bible and reaching out to those who may be distanced form the faith. A new programme starts in the autumn and people interested can get in contact through Eamonn.Fitzgibbon@mic.ul.ie

Bishop Leahy also invited any young man who might be considering priesthood to make contact with the Diocese or local clergy. “Most priests find great joy in ministry and recognise how fulfilling a life it has been for them. I would also encourage parents to sow the seed of the idea of vocation in the minds and hearts of their children.”

Ends

List of Clerical Changes with effect from 28th September, 2024 except where otherwise stated:

 

Fr. Eugene Boyce, to retire as Moderator and Co-Parish Priest of Pastoral Unit 11 comprising of the parishes of Adare, Cappagh, Croagh/Kilfinny and Askeaton/Ballysteen.

 

Fr. Joseph Hayes, S.J., to retire as Co-Parish Priest of Slí Padraig Pastoral Unit comprising of the parishes of Donoghmore/Knockea/Roxboro Our Lady Queen of Peace and Holy Family and to assist in the Unit.

 

Canon Tony Mullins, Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Ministry and Mission, appointed as Moderator of the Cill Rúis Pastoral Unit comprising the parishes of Christ the King, Cratloe/Sixmilebridge, Our Lady of the Rosary with particular responsibility for the parish of Cratloe/Sixmilebridge.

 

Fr. Tom Mangan, appointed as Co-Parish Priest of the Íde Naofa Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of Abbeyfeale, Athea, Templeglantine and Tournafulla/Mountcollins, with particular responsibility for the parishes of Abbeyfeale and Athea.

 

Fr. Richard Keane, while continuing his ministry in the Cork Marriage Tribunal, appointed as Co-Parish Priest of the Croí Clann Naofa Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of St. Joseph’s, St. Saviour’s and Our Lady of Lourdes with particular responsibility for the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

Fr. Liam Enright, appointed as Moderator of Croí Clann Naofa Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of St. Joseph’s, St. Saviour’s and Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

Fr. John Walsh, appointed to the Slí Pádraig Pastoral Unit as Parish Priest of the parishes of Donoughmore/Knockea/Roxboro, Our Lady Queen of Peace and Holy Family.

 

Fr. Daniel Tomasik, appointed as Co-Parish Priest of the Cathedral Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of St. John’s, St Patrick’s/St. Brigid’s and Monaleen.

 

Fr. John McCarthy, appointed as Co-Parish Priest of the Shannon Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of Adare, Croagh/Kilfinny, Cappagh and Askeaton.

 

Fr. Francesco Okonkwo, appointed as Co-Parish Priest of the Maigue Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of Banogue, Croom, Dromin/Athlacca, Manister, Fedamore, Bruff/Meanus/Grange with immediate effect.

 

Fr. Tim Wrenn SBD, appointed as Co-Parish Priest of the St. Nessan’s Pastoral Unit made up of the parishes of Patrickswell/Ballybrown, Mungret/Crecora/Raheen, St. Paul’s, Kildimo/Pallaskenry and Kilcornan with particular responsibility for the parish of Kilcornan.

 

Fr. Michael Eduziuno, appointed to assist the Pastoral Team in the Diocesan Centre with effect from Monday, 2nd September 2024.

 

Fr. Emmanuel Okwudinka, appointed to assist in the Slí Pádraig Pastoral Unit comprising of the parishes of Donoughmore/Knockea/Roxboro, Our Lady Queen of Peace and Holy Family.