The continuing decline in the number of priests in the Killaloe diocese means some newly appointed priests are taking on extra parishes.
The Bishop of Killaloe has announced a number of changes in personnel in a number of Clare communities and more priests are being asked to take on two parishes as the number of clergy involved in parish ministry drops to just 95.
Bishop Willie Walsh has announced that Fr. Donogh O’Meara is returning from his work in South Africa to take responsibility for the parishes of Tuamgraney/Bodyke and Ogonolloe, while Fr. Colm Hogan is returning from Ecuador to become Parish Priest of Kildysart and Coolmeen/Cranny.
They’re taking responsibility for two parishes due to the continued decrease in the number of priests but these parishes will retain separate identities. The Killaloe diocese currently has 95 full time priests to cover 58 parishes, along with 5 priests in chaplaincy and administration, 8 priests on ministries overseas and just 4 students studying for the priesthood.
The new appointments also include a move for Kildysart Priest Fr Neil Dargan to become Priest in Residence on O’Callaghan’s Mills/Kilkishen and Fr John O’Keeffe will move from Parish Priest to assistant priest in Coolmeen-Cranny
The changes take effect from Friday August 27th
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