Six priests to leave Archdiocese of Tuam

Six priests to leave Archdiocese of Tuam


Áine Ryan

THE drain on resources in the Tuam Archdiocese is set to continue after Archbishop Michael Neary last week announced a total of 17 changes, resulting in a net loss of six priests. Five of these priests will retire while one, Westport native, Father Gerry Burns will leave his position as Parish Priest of Letterfrack to minister in the Diocese of Orlando in the United States.
This continued drop in numbers means that a number of the priests serving in parishes throughout the dioceses will either be given extra responsibilities or the administration of some parishes will be restructured.
Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, a spokesman for the archbishop, Father Fintan Monahan, said ‘statistics would certainly bear witness’ to the fact that clerical resources were under continued strain but that it was ‘manageable’ at the moment.
“Details of the reduced numbers of priests in the diocese have been clearly and consistently highlighted for over a decade or more. In consultation with clergy and laity a progressive process of rationalisation has been in place for the past five or six years to help deal with the reduction of resources available. The situation is very manageable at present, but it may well become more challenging to deal with in years to come,” Father Monahan said.
He said that it was ‘heartening to see that lay people have responded with great cooperation and enthusiasm, with some outstanding work being done by members of parish pastoral councils’.
Father Monahan confirmed that a clustering process for certain parishes, which has been rolled-out over recent years, would continue.
 
Retirements and changes
THE five retiring priests are: Rt Rev Mgr Dermot Moloney, PP, VG, Crossboyne (he continues as Vicar General); Rev Tom Kearney, SMA, CC, Keel, Achill to retire (will return to the Society of African Missions at the end of Summer, 2013); The Very Rev James Canon Walsh, PP, Kilmeena to retire as Parish Priest (as assistant priest he will remain in Kilmeena and have responsibility for the Pastoral and Sacramental care of the parish); and The Very Rev John Garvey, PP, Carnacon and The Very Rev Anthony Canon King, PP, VF, Athenry, who will both retire fully.
Those who will have changed responsibilities are: The Very Rev James Canon Quinn, CC, Taugheen; he will now have responsibility for the pastoral and sacramental care of Crossboyne and responsibility for the administration of Taugheen.
The Very Rev Martin O’Connor, PP, VF, Ballindine, will have responsibility on behalf of the cluster for the administration of Crossboyne. The Very Rev Charlie McDonnell, Adm, Westport, will have responsibility for the administration of the parish of Kilmeena, and The Very Rev Patrick Mooney, PP, Glenamaddy, will have responsibility for the administration of the Williamstown parish.
The Very Rev Brendan Canon Kilcoyne, President, St Jarlath’s College, to be PP, and VF, in Athenry; Rev Michael Farragher, CC, Castlebar to be PP, Carnacon; Rev Ronnie Boyle, CC, Achill to be PP, Letterfrack; Rev SeΡn Cunningham, CC, Tuam to be CC, Castlebar and Rev Frank McGrath, SMA, Williamstown to be CC, Achill.
The Very Rev John Fallon, PP, Kilmaine is to be Canon of the Cathedral Chapter, as is The Very Rev Des Walsh, PP, Lackagh.