Collinstown parish delegation to request meeting with Bishop Smith
A delegation of parishioners from Collinstown, Fore and Drumcree is to seek a meeting with the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, to convince him not to move their parish priest, Fr Michael Walsh, to a new posting in Offaly.
Thirteen community representatives were drawn from a crowd of over 400 people, who packed into Collinstown's parish hall tonight despite inclement weather conditions.
Citing their attachment to Fr Walsh – built up over his 15 years in the parish – and concerns over his health, parishioners were unanimous in their belief that sending the Empor native to a large parish like Kilcormac/Killoughey is the wrong move by the Diocese of Meath.
Those organising the meeting made it clear that they are in no way opposed to Fr Walsh's proposed replacement in Collinstown – Tullamore-based curate and Mullingar native Fr Patrick Donnelly – coming to the parish.
"We have heard brilliant reports about him, and we have no objections to him coming here," said one of the organisers, Tom Farrelly. "But we want Fr Walsh to stay on as our parish priest."
Parishioners were baffled as to how their long-established priest, who is in his 60s, could be sent from a parish with two schools to one with eight (seven primary and one secondary), and one which is in the midst of an ongoing church renovation project.
"That's a job for a younger priest," one member of the audience said.
Time is not on the side of those who want to convince Bishop Smith to change his mind. The Bishop leaves for the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes this Thursday, and delegates are keen to meet with him before then.
As a show of solidarity, they plan to congregate at St Mary's Church, Collinstown this Monday night, either for a possible Mass, or a candlelit vigil.
Should they fail to secure a meeting with the Bishop, or if the Diocese proceeds with Fr Walsh's relocation to Kilcormac, parishioners agreed to explore alternative options – including a public protest, or withdrawal of their financial support for the Church coffers.
For the full story, see Tuesday's edition of the Westmeath Examiner.
Paul Hughes