“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have served our Diocese in various appointments over the last three years. I am delighted to make these re-appointments and new appointments to several key diocesan positions and committees for the next three years. Thank you to all those who have been so generous in taking on these roles, especially those who do so in addition to other responsibilities.
As for the care of our parishes, we remain indebted to those who in addition to their responsibilities in their own parishes have been willing to take responsibility for other parishes. They often do so with the assistance of a team of priests and local faith communities. Over time this will become a reality for many more of our parishes as we move to centralise services around our three faith community areas – Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Portumna. I ask you to pray for our priests and to pray for our parishes and our diocese at this time of restructuring and renewal.
These appointments include the announcement of the retirement of Ms Mary Gormely as Diocesan Designated Liaison Person for Safeguarding. Mary has given exceptional and dedicated service over may years in this important area. We owe a debt of gratitude to her and her family. They also include the retirement of Father Brendan Lawless as Diocesan Liaison Person for Trócaire and the Pontifical Mission Societies – we thank him for his many years of work in this position.” (Bishop Michael Duignan)
Curial Appointments (Three Year Term)
Msgr Cathal Geraghty, PP in addition to current appointments to continue to serve as Vicar General and Diocesan Director of Communications
Very Rev Michael Byrnes, PP, JV in addition to current appointments to continue to serve as Diocesan Chancellor and Diocesan Master of Ceremonies
Very Rev Iomar Daniels, PP in addition to current appointments to continue to serve as Episcopal Vicar for Parish Restructuring and Renewal
Ms Marcella Fallon to continue to serve as Diocesan Secretary
Ms Mary Gormely to retire as Diocesan Designated Laison Person for Safeguarding from January 1st 2024
Ms Isabelle Mulkern has been reappointed Diocesan Co-ordinator for Safeguarding Children and Diocesan Co-ordinator for the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Persons
Very Rev Ciarán Kitching, PP in addition to his current responsibilities to continue to serve as Diocesan Designated Liaison Person for Safeguarding
Very Rev John Garvey, PP in addition to his current responsibilities to continue to serve as Diocesan Director of Accord and Chairperson of the Management Board of the Clonfert Diocesan Family Life Centre, Ballinasloe
Very Rev Aidan Costello, CC to continue to serve as Diocesan Director of Vocations
Very Rev Pat Conroy, PP in addition to his current responsibilities to continue to serve as Director of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Diocesan Director of the Legion of Mary
Rev John Naughton, PE to be Spiritual Director to the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in the Diocese of Clonfert
Rev Declan Lohan CC to be appointed Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Trócaire for the Diocese of Clonfert along with fulfilling the role for the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
Very Rev Declan McInerney, PP in addition to his current responsibilities to continue to serve as Chaplain to the Youth Section of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Diocesan Committee Appointments (Three Year Term)
Diocesan Committee for Parish Restructuring and Renewal with Very Rev Iomar Daniels, PP, VF as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for Ministry to Young People with Ms Mary Keegan-Hynes as Chairperson
Diocesan Education Secretariat with Msgr Cathal Geraghty, PP, VG as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for Vocations with Rev Aidan Costello, CC as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for the Wellbeing of Clergy with Very Rev Ciarán Kitching, PP as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for Marriage, Family Life and Life-Long Religious Education with Very Rev John Garvey, PP as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for the Preparation and Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation with Very Rev Kieran O’Rourke, PP, VF as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for the Sacred Liturgy with Very Rev Michael Byrnes, PP, JV as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for Charitable Outreach with Very Rev Seamus Bohan, PP as Chairperson
Diocesan Committee for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue with Very Rev Raymond Sweeney, PP, VF as Chairperson.
Parish related appointments
Msgr Cathal Geraghty, PP, VG in addition to his current appointments to be Parish Priest of the Cathedral Parish and Administrator of the Parish of Kiltuallagh, Killimordaly and Attymon to be Parish Priest of the Parish of Kilnadeema and Aille
Very Rev Seamus Bohan, PP in addition to his current appointment as Parish Priest of Tynagh and Kileen to be Parish Priest of the Parish of Abbey and Duniry
Very Rev Bernard Costello, CC Ballinasloe, Moderator of the Parish of Lawrencetown and Kiltormer and Chaplain to Portiuncula Hospital to take a sabbatical.
Very Rev Raymond Sweeney, PP, VF to be Administrator pro tem of the Parish of Lawrencetown and Kiltormer. Chaplaincy Services to Portiuncula Hospital to be covered pro tem by The Parish of Ballinasloe.
Appointment of Vicars Forane (Three Year Term)
(A Vicar Forane acts as the coordinator of the team of priests serving a Faith Community Area)
Very Rev Iomar Daniels PP, EV as Vicar Forane for the Loughrea Faith Community
Very Rev Kieran O Rourke PP as Vicar Forane for the Portumna Faith Community
Very Rev Raymond Sweeney PP as Vicar Forane for the Ballinasloe Faith Community.
Appointment of New Diocesan Council of Priests (Three Year Term)
The Council of Priests serves to assist and advise the Bishop in matters of pastoral concern. It is made up of a number of Priests elected by the clergy of the Diocese along with Priests appointed by the Bishop.
Bishop Michael Duignan (President)
Msgr Cathal Geraghty PP VG
Very Rev Michael Byrnes PP JV
Very Rev Iomar Daniels PP VF EV
Very Rev Ciarán Kitching PP
Very Rev John Garvey PP
Very Rev Kiaran O Rourke PP VF
Very Rev Raymond Sweeney PP VF
Very Rev Niall Foley PP
Rev Benne Flanagan PE
Very Rev Christopher Clark OCD
Ends