Northern Ireland

Diocese of Down and Connor to make clerical changes next month

Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor
Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor

THE Diocese of Down and Connor is to make a series of clerical changes from next month.

The new appointments, which will take effect from August 5, were announced by Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor.

Three priests are to retire - Monsignor Patrick Delargy, Very Rev Austin McGirr and Very Rev Dermot McKay.

Bishop Treanor thanked everyone "involved in and affected by these appointments for their cooperation and I wish them God’s blessing, good health and fulfilment in their respective ministries".

"On behalf of the faithful of the diocese, and the bishops with whom they have served, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Very Rev Monsignor Patrick Delargy, the Very Rev Austin McGirr and the Very Rev Dermot McKay who have relinquished the office of parish priest after many years of ministry and fruitful service," he said.

"With the people of our diocese, I am very grateful to them for their willingness to be of continued pastoral service to the diocese."

Very Rev Darach MacGiolla Catháin will be chaplain to Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast Trust.

In Belfast, Very Rev Vincent Cushnahan will be parish priest of St Vincent de Paul; Very Rev Patrick Devlin will be parish priest of Hannahstown; Very Rev Raymond McCullagh will be parish priest of St Agnes’ and Vicar Forane of the west Belfast Pastoral Community.

Very Rev Thomas McGlynn will be parish priest of St Malachy’s; Very Rev James Madden will be administrator of Sacred Heart; Rev Paul Morely will be curate at St Bernadette’s and Holy Rosary and Rev Robert Sloan will be curate at Holy Family.

In Co Antrim, Very Rev Anthony Fitzsimons will be parish priest of Carnlough and Glenarm (Tickmacreevan).

Very Rev Michael McGinnity will be parish priest of Ballymena (Kirkinriola) and Vicar Forane of the Ballymena Pastoral Community; Rev Joe Davis will be curate in Ballymena and Very Rev Paul Strain will be parish priest of Glenravel and The Braid (Skerry).

Very Rev Kevin McGuckien will be parish priest of Coleraine, Portrush and Bushmills and Portstewart.

He will also be Vicar Forane of the North Connor Pastoral Community.