A CO Fermanagh priest has been appointed as the new prior of the renowned pilgrimage shrine of Lough Derg in Co Donegal.
Fr Laurence Flynn, parish priest of Ballybay (Tullycorbet), Co Monaghan will take over the role on October 1. He will also become the administrator of the parish of Pettigo.
The shrine of Lough Derg, known also as Saint Patrick’s Purgatory, is located near Pettigo. It is dedicated to Saint Patrick and his spirituality is remembered and renewed every year by pilgrims.
Fr Flynn, who was born in Roslea, replaces Co Monaghan-born cleric Fr Owen J McEneaney, who will move to take up the parish priest post in Ballybay.
The announcement was made yesterday by Monsignor Joseph McGuinness as part of the Clogher diocesan changes.
Monsignor McGuinness, the diocesan administrator, said Lough Derg continues to hold a "special place in the lives of many people in Clogher diocese, throughout Ireland and further afield".
"It is foremost a place of prayer and renewal, a place where creation, history and the everlasting presence of God converge," he said.
"Fr Flynn already has great experience and knowledge of Lough Derg through his long association with the island.
"This will be of enormous benefit to Lough Derg’s next stage of development and I pray God’s blessings on him and the entire team there.
"I thank him for the generous service he has given to the people of Tullycorbet parish as PP for the last 13 years."
The Clogher clerical appointments in full are:
:: Fr Laurence Flynn, parish priest of Ballybay (Tullycorbet), Co Monaghan to be prior of Lough Derg in Co Donegal
:: Fr Owen J McEneaney, prior of Lough Derg in Co Donegal to be parish priest of Ballybay (Tullycorbet), Co Monaghan
:: Fr Ian Fee CC, Bundoran-Ballyshannon, Co Donegal to take leave of absence
:: Fr Alan Ward CF, Finner Camp, Ballyshannon to take sabbatical leave for one year
:: Rev Sean Mulligan, newly-ordained deacon, assigned to the parish of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
