First full time chaplain for Donegal's Polish community

Fr John Joe Duffy.

THE Polish community in the Diocese of Raphoe is to get its first full-time chaplain from next month when Reverend Lukasz Przewieslik, Society of Christ Fathers, relocates from his current position within the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Fr Przewieslik is arriving to become CC in Stranorlar and chaplain to the Polish Community in the Raphoe Diocese. At present, there is a monthly Mass in Polish in St Eunan’s Cathedral which is celebrated by a priest who is based in Omagh.
Fr Przewieslik’s appointment forms part of a major reshuffle of clerical positions in the diocese announced by the new Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian earlier this week.
He replaces Fr John Joe Duffy who is moving to become CC in Creeslough. Fr John Joe said that he hopes to continue working closely with the Save Our St Joseph’s Hospital Action Group.
“I’m on the move early next month and while I mightn’t be able to continue as chairman I hope to stay on – maybe as PRO – and help them in whatever way I can. I’ve had five great years in Stranorlar and I feel that that time has helped me become a much more rounded and better person. I now look forward to the challenges which lie ahead in Creeslough.
“I came to Stranorlar within days of Sam Maguire coming back to the county in 2012. It would be nice to welcome Dr Maguire to my new parish (St Michael’s) in the coming weeks,” Fr Duffy said.
The cleric declined to comment on a statement which suggested that he had been moved due to his ‘open and consistent’ challenges to the HSE on their proposed plans to close St Joseph’s Hospital.
A statement released by the Diocesan Secretary Fr Michael McKeever said that the changes only became official when they were announced by the diocese on Monday.
“Put very simply the needs of the diocese come first when clerical changes are made,” Fr McKeever said.
Those changes show that Fr Gerard Cunningham, CC, Fintown and Administrator in the Glenties has been appointed the Parish Priest in the Glenties (Iniskeel).
Fr Donnchadh Ó Baoill, CC in Cnoc Fola is moving to become CC in Fintown. Canon Michael Herrity, the Parish Priest in Annagry is moving to become the Pastor Emeritus, AP Cnoc Fola.
Fr Nigel Ó Gallchóir, CC in Dungloe is taking up the position of Parish Priest in Annagry.
As was previously reported Monsignor Kevin Gillespie has returned from Rome, where he was Congregation for the Clergy as well as Papal Master of Ceremonies for Pope Francis, and he will take up the position of CC for Conwal ad Leck. He will replace Fr Eamonn McLaughlin, from Downings, who will take up the role of Congregation for the Clergy in Rome.
Fr Adrian Gavigan, CC, Milford and Kerrykeel has been moved to become CC of the Parish of Templecrone (Dungloe) with residence in Leitirmacaward. Fr Rory Brady, resident in Conwal and Leck will become CC in Milford and Kerrykeel.
Fr John Joe Duffy, CC in Stranorlar is moving to become CC in Creeslough. Fr Lukasz Przewislik, SChr, Polish Chaplaincy, Archdiocese of Dublin is to become CC in Stranorlar and Chaplain to the Polish Community in the Diocese of Raphoe.
Meanwhile Fr Morty O’Shea, solt, CC, Leitirmacaward and Doochary is moving to become CC in Ardaghey (Inver).

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