New priest at the helm in Athlone after Diocesan reshuffle

There will be a new parish administrator at St Mary's in Athlone, and a reduction in the number of clergy there, following changes announced by the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Francis Duffy at the weekend.

Fr Declan Shannon, who served as parish administrator in St Mary's for the last six years, is taking up a new role in the town, becoming chaplain to the Defence Forces at Custume Barracks.

A new arrival to the parish, Fr Patrick Murphy, who had been parish priest for Mohill and Fenagh, was announced as the incoming parish administrator in St Mary's.

After two years in Athlone, Fr Pierre Pepper is also on the move, having been announced as the parish administrator for Streete and Rathowen.

Meanwhile, Fr Reji Kurian, who had been based in Longford, was appointed resident priest for Boher in Offaly and is due to assist in Athlone, while continuing his role as Syro Malabar chaplain.

"This year our two largest parishes, Athlone and Longford, each have a reduction in clergy," stated Bishop Duffy in his letter announcing the appointments.

"Unfortunately, because of the age profile of clergy and lack of vocations, some priests will not be replaced as they retire or are reassigned.

"I encourage continued collaboration between parishes. I also encourage continued prayer and support for vocations in the Diocese," he wrote.

In the Diocese of Meath, Fr Séamus Houlihan was appointed as parish priest in Tubber, having previously fulfilled that role in Kilcormac.

Fr Noel Weir, who had served in Rosemount for the last year, has been appointed to Navan, while Fr Conor Magee is moving from Mullingar to take up an appointment in the parish of Multyfarnham.

The Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan, said it was now increasingly difficult to keep priests in each parish. "In this year's appointments it is clear that the Diocese is becoming increasingly reliant on priests from Romania, Africa, and Poland," he said.

"In addition, there has been a reduction in clergy in some parishes, and there is also a need to encourage collaboration between parishes. All this highlights the need for vocations promotion and support in the Diocese, and I thank the vocations promotion team for their work in this regard."