A CATHOLIC parish in Derry city has been given a reprieve following fears it was to be amalgamated with a larger neighbouring parish because of the fall in numbers and vocations to the priesthood.
Parishioners at Culmore had feared their parish was to be amalgamated with neighbouring Steelstown following the retirement of Fr Colum Clerkin. It was also announced earlier this year that the parish was to lose its church when a lease arrangement with the Sisters of Mercy religious order came to an end. The move could make the parish the first in Ireland to operate without a church.
However, after meeting parishioners, Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown confirmed in his annual clerical changes for the diocese that the parish would continue to exist under the administration of Steelstown parish priest, Fr John McDevitt. It is understood negotiations are continuing to establish a place of worship in Culmore parish.
The full list of clerical changes for the Derry diocese is:
Rev David O’Kane, PP Claudy, to be, in addition, Vicar Forane for the Derry City Deanery
Rev Brian Donnelly, PP Newtownstewart and Plumbridge, to be in addition Adm Gortin and Greencastle
Rev Pat O’Hagan, PP Moville, to be PP Ballyscullion, and Adm Lavey and Greenlough, and Diocesan Vocations Director
Rev Brendan Crowley, PP Errigal, to be in addition Adm Kilrea
Rev Edward Gallagher, PP Gortin and Greencastle, to be PP Moville
Rev Joseph Gormley, PP Creggan, to be PP Holy Family, Ballymagroarty
Rev John McDevitt, PP Steelstown, to be in addition Adm Culmore
Rev Gerard Mongan, CC Three Patrons, to be Adm Long Tower
Rev Daniel McFaul, CC Creggan, to be PP Creggan
Rev Eamon Graham, PP Lavey and Greenlough, to be CC Ballyscullion, Lavey and Greenlough
Rev Patrick Baker, Adm Long Tower, to be CC Burt, Inch & Fahan, and Buncrana
Rev Dermott Harkin, CC Lavey and Greenlough, to be CC Errigal and Kilrea
Rev Roland Colhoun, CC Newtownstewart and Plumbridge, to be in addition CC Gortin and Greencastle
Rev Patrick Lagan, CC St Eugene’s Cathedral, to be CC Waterside and Strathfoyle
Rev Sean O’Donnell, CC Waterside and Strathfoyle, to be CC Three Patrons
Rev Ignacy Saniuta, CC St Eugene’s Cathedral, to be CC Creggan
Rev Roni Zacharias, CC Waterside and Strathfoyle, to be CC St Eugene’s Cathedral
Rev Joshy Parokkaran, CC Three Patrons, to be CC Waterside and Strathfoyle, in addition to his appointment with the Syro-Malabar Church
Rev Joseph Varghese, on loan from the Archeparchy of Changanacherry, to be CC Dungiven
Rev Michael McCaul, Deacon Cappagh, to be Deacon St Eugene’s Cathedral
Rev Colum Clerkin, PP Culmore, to retire
Mgr Andrew Dolan, PP Ballyscullion, to retire
Rev Chris Ferguson to continue leave of absence
Rev James Devine to take leave of absence
