By Róise Collins

A NUMBER of clerical changes have been announced by Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Administrator of the Diocese of Raphoe.

The changes, which are to take effect on the weekend of August 16, include four retirements and the relocation of 13 priests.

Those retiring are parish priest Fr Francis McLoone from Killymard, parish priest Fr Charlie Byrne from Mevagh (Carrigart), parish priest Fr Martin Collum from Killygarvan and Tullyfern (Rathmullan) and Fr Eddie Gallagher from the Leitirmacaward parish.

Msgr Gillespie, pictured below, thanked the retiring priests for their long and dedicated years of service in the diocese.

He also acknowledging the “heavier burden of responsibility” the decreasing number of clergy will have on serving priests.

Taking over from the retiring priests are Fr James Sweeney from Inver(Frosses), who has been announced as the new parish priest in Killymard and Fr Patrick Dunne from Kilbarron (Ballyshannon) is to be relocated to Carrigart, where he will serve as the new parish priest.

Additionally, Fr Stephen Gorman is to move from Milford to be parish priest in Killygarvan and Tullyfern.

Fr Rory Brady will move from the parish of Killaghtee (Bruckless) to Kilbarron (Ballyshannon) where he will serve as parish priest and Fr Philip Kemmy from Newtowncunningham and Killea is to be in addition parish priest in Taughboyne (St. Johnston).

The parish priest of Killybegs Fr Colm Ó Gallachóir will now also become Administrator in Killaghtee (Bruckless) parish with Fr Joseph Ndiraba from the Diocese of Hoima in Uganda to be appointed as curate in Bruckless.

In Letterkenny, Fr Damien Nejad from Conwal and Leck (St Eunan’s Cathedral) will move to Newtowncunningham, Killea and St. Johnston where he will serve as curate.

It was also announced that the parish of Glenswilly is to be administered from St Eunan’s Cathedral with the parish’s priest in residence, Fr Liam Boyle to be relocated to Inver (Frosses) where he will become parish priest.

Fr Anthony Briody from Tamney is set to become the parish’s administrator and Fr Raymond McQuarrie will moved from the parish of Mountcharles to Milford where he will serve as curate.

Moving from the Diocese of Mananthawady in India, Fr Sunil Joseph will take over as curate in Ballyshannon in addition to becoming chaplain to the Syro-Malabar community in the diocese.

Msgr Gillespie thanked all the priests who have accepted changes for their generosity.

He also added that it is important for parish communities to reflect on how they can collaborate with neighbouring parishes to ensure that a reasonable number of masses can be provided for in times of sickness of legitimate absences.