Diocesan Appointments 2021
This past 15 months have seen huge upheaval for us all: an upheaval that has given us time to reflect and re-evaluate how we do things. It is in this vein of a changing landscape that I announce the diocesan appointments this year. While at first glance there may seem to be only seven priests involved in the changes, which have been kept to a minimum, I would like to emphasise that every one of our 78 priests in parish ministry or available for parish ministry is involved in the diocesan changes in this exceptional pandemic time. We need to be much more supportive and cooperative with our neighbouring parishes. We need to facilitate time off for colleagues. We need to be much more comfortable pulpit sharing. Together we must carry one another and become less consumed by our individual parishes. I envisage both Fr. Shem and Fr. Petru, while taking up curacy appointments, will also, in time, be Support Priests in the wider fraternity of parishes where they will be ministering.
I very much thank all our priests who have generously accepted new and additional responsibilities. We fondly remember the late Fr. Jimmy Doyle and we continue to keep Fr. PJ McEvoy in our prayers.
The following appointments, will take effect from August 20th next:
Mgr. John McDonald P.P. The Curragh to become P.E. C.C. The Curragh
Fr. PJ Somers C.C. The Curragh to become P.P. The Curragh
Fr. John Brickley P.P. Kilcock to become P.P. Staplestown & Cooleragh
Fr. George Augustine C.C. Kilcock to become P.P. Kilcock
Fr. Liam Lawton to become Adm. Edenderry for one year while continuing his diocesan duties and living in Graiguecullen
Fr. Shem Furlong, Knockbeg College to become C.C. Bagenalstown
Fr. Petru Medves C.C. Bagenalstown to become C.C. Abbeyleix, Ballinakill & Raheen