Bishop announces Diocesan historic changes in Kilmore

By 2030, it is projected there will only be 27 priests left ministering locally.

Bishop Martin Hayes has announced Diocesan Changes in Kilmore, reflecting on their significance where for the first time he has appointed a priest to oversee more than one parish.

His comments, and the historic changes, come in the face of dwindling priest numbers and Mass attendances, and an urgent need to reform the running of parishes going forward.

At present there are just 64 priests working in the diocese, with 44 in active ministry across 34 parishes, two abroad and 18 retired. Over half the priests are aged over 70 years, and a third are older than 75.

By 2030, it is projected there will only be 27 priests left ministering locally.

At the weekend Bishop Hayes addressed the Sunday congregation at St Patrick's Church in Drumalee, near Belturbet, where he stated it is “best to have full churches and less Masses to have a wholesome celebration”.

The impending changes, which take effect from October 5, include two retirements, one priest taking a Sabbatical in preparation for a new appointment within the Diocese, and two more recently ordained being assign to parishes.

Fr. John McTiernan, Administrator in Annagh will retire and reside in Cavan, while Fr. Gerard Comiskey, Parish Priest in Drumlane, will commence a Sabbatical until Easter 2025.

They will be replaced by Fr. Sean McDermott, current P.P in Ballintemple and Adm. Kilmore, who will move to takeover both Annagh and Drumlane.

Fr. Gabriel Kelly, P.P Kilmainhamwood-Moybologue will become P.P. to Ballintemple and Adm. Kilmore. He will remain as Chancellor of Kilmore Diocese, and Fr. Ultan McGoohan P.P. will remain as P.P. of Killann will takeover as Adm. of Kilmainhamwood-Moybologue.Fr. Thomas Small C.C. Urney & Annagelliff will move to Kilmainhamwood-Moybologue, and Fr Jordan MacGabhan, newly ordained, has been assigned as C.C. to replace him.

Since the turn of the millennium there has been only been eight Ordinations and four incardinations, where a priest applies and is accepted into the diocese. Frs Mac Gabhann and Small were both ordained to the priesthood in the past four years.

Very Rev. Fr. Brian Flynn C.C. in Castlerahan finally is also set to retire. He will reside in Lavey, with Rev Andrew Brady, Permanent Deacon, Urney & Annagelliff, set to minister in his place.

Reflecting on these imposed changes, Bishop Hayes 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 four 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.”

Of newly announced retirements, the bishop said thanked Fr John McTiernan and Fr Brian Flynn who have over 100 years of service between them in Kilmore Diocese.

Acknowledging the priests still working the bishop expressed his deep 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.”

For full report see next week's Anglo-Celt.