New Bishop announces diocesan appointments

The newly announced changes will take effect from Saturday, September 12.

The Bishop-elect of Kilmore, Very Rev. Martin Hayes, Bishop-elect of Kilmore, has announced a series of diocesan appointments.

The newly announced changes will take effect from Saturday, September 12.

They include Very Rev. Oliver Kelly, P.P. V.F. Manorhamilton, who will now serve as parish priest in Glenfarne, with Very Rev. John Gilhooly, P.P. Mullagh moving as V.F. in Manorhamilton.

Rev. Paul Prior, C.C. Glenfarne has been appointed to served as parish priest in Mullagh.

Meanwhile, Rev. Darragh Connolly, priest in residence Drumkilly, is to go on a half-year sabbatical.

Bishop-elect, Rev Hayes will be formally ordained as head of the Diocesan church at a ceremony in the Cathedral of SS. Patrick & Felim later this month, Sunday, September 20 at 3pm.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the numbers attending the ceremony will be greatly reduced and will be by invitation only.

It was announced at the end of June that the Tipperary native (60) had been chosen be the new Bishop of Kilmore, taking in Co Cavan as well as parts of Leitrim, Fermanagh, Meath and Sligo.

Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, was amongst those in attendance at the service in the Cathedral to welcome the new bishop.

Rev Hayes succeeds Bishop Leo O’Reilly who retired on health grounds in December 2018.

Diocese of Clogher

Separately, changes announced by Bishop Larry Duffy for the Diocese of Clogher last month will formally come into effect at the end of this week Friday, September 4.

Rt Rev Monsignor Richard Mohan PP, Clones will be PE Clones, residing at Aghadrumsee.

Very Rev Peter Corrigan PP, Killeevan-Currin-Aghabog will be PE Killeevan-Currin-Aghabog, while Very Rev Jim Moore PP, Fintona (Donacavey) is to serve as PP Clones and also to be PP Killeevan-Currin-Aghabog.

Canon Pat McEntee PP, Dromore is to also be PP Fintona (Donacavey), along with Fr Kevin Connolly CC, Clones as CC Fintona (Donacavey).

Very Rev John Halton PP, Tempo (Pobal) will take up his appointment as PE, Tempo (Pobal), with Rt Rev Monsignor Peter O’Reilly PP VG Enniskillen to also be PP Tempo (Pobal).

Commenting on the changes at the time, Bishop Duffy said: “I thank all the priests of the diocese, and our deacon, for their generous service to the people of God, especially during these last few months. To the four priests who have reached retirement age I say a sincere word of thanks for your service over the years and I wish you many more years of health and happiness. In these challenging times, may the Lord strengthen us all.”