A POLISH missionary priest has been appointed administrator of Saval parish in Co Down as part of this year's Dromore diocesan changes.
Father Mario Jachym is a member of the Society of Christ whose priests minister to Polish communities abroad.
He has been in the north since 2011 and was appointed to Saval following the retirement of Canon Francis Boyle.
An administrator has the same functions as a parish priest but the role is usually temporary in nature.
Fr Jachym will also help in the Newry parish and, when necessary, in the Clonallon pastoral area.
The priests of Newry parish will celebrate a Mass in Saval at weekends.
Catholic Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey yesterday announced a series of other diocesan changes for 2016.
Canon Gerard McCrory has retired as parish priest of Magheradroll and will be replaced by Fr Brian Brown, PP of Magheralin.
Fr Conor McConville, curate at St Peter and St Paul’s parishes, Lurgan, will be parish priest of Magheralin and Dromore. He will also assist with school chaplaincies in Lurgan, as well the chaplaincy in Craigavon Area Hospital.
Fr PJ Murray, PP of Dromore, will be pastor emeritus in the parish.
Fr Colum Wright has resigned on health grounds as parish priest of Aghaderg and administrator of Donaghmore, and will take up another pastoral assignment in the new year.
Newry curate Fr Anthony Corr will be parish priest of Donaghmore and Aghaderg and assist with school chaplaincies in Newry.
Meanwhile, Fr Brendan Kearns, curate of Kilbroney and Clonallon, will be administrator of Kilbroney.
Clonduff parish priest Jarlath Cushenan and Tullylish PP Gerard Powell also become members of the Cathedral Chapter.
