Bishop Smith announces round of clerical changes

The latest clerical changes in the Diocese of Meath include the appointment of a new Parish Priest in Rochfortbridge, as well as first time assignments for two recently ordained priests and the retirement of a Golden Jubilarian. Nine parishes in the Diocese will welcome new priests, including Mullingar, Navan, Drogheda and Tullamore.The appointments were announced last Thursday by Bishop Michael Smith and they take effect on Friday 3 September.Fr. Stan Deegan, Parish Priest of Rochfortbridge is taking sabbatical studies at the Tantur Centre in Jerusalem. He will be succeeded by Fr William Coleman, who is leaving Navan after 14 years. Educated at University College Dublin, Fr Coleman was ordained for the Diocese of Meath in 1995, having worked with the Department of Social Welfare. After he obtained a Licentiate in Ecumenical Theology from the Angelicum University in Rome, he served first as chaplain at St Patrick’s Classical School and later as curate in St Mary’s Parish, Navan.Speaking after his appointment as Parish Priest, Fr Coleman said “I am very sorry to be leaving Navan, having spent 14 happy years here among very kind and supportive parishioners. I look forward to my new pastoral ministry and getting to know the people of Rochfortbridge Parish over the coming months.”There is a change of personnel in Mullingar, where Fr Colm Browne has served for nine years, first as hospital chaplain and later curate at the Cathedral and in Walshestown. He will be replaced by Fr Padraig Corcoran (originally from The Downs), coming from Tullamore. After receiving his new assignment, Fr Corcoran said “I wish to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to the parishioners, staff and clergy of Tullamore Parish. During my time in Tullamore, I have been very blessed. I have learned invaluable lessons and forged many great friendships. I look forward to bringing all that I have learned and experienced in Tullamore to bear in my new work in Mullingar.”Tyrrellspass will welcome Fr Barry Condron as curate in succession to Fr Brendan Ferris, who is moving to Ratoath.Fr Martin Carley, who is a native of Milltownpass where he was ordained in 1992, will take up his responsibilities as Parish Priest of Rahan next month. He has previously served in Slane and Drogheda.After 50 years of priestly service, Mullingar native Fr Gerry Stanley is retiring as Parish Priest of Rathkenny and he will be succeed by Fr John Hogan as Administrator of that parish.Fr. Stanley spent six years ministering with the Columban Fathers on their mission in Lima, Peru. On his return to the Diocese, he served in Ratoath, Rochfortbridge and Kilcloon before his appointment as Parish Priest of Rathkenny in 1988.Fr Hogan has ministered in Drogheda since his ordination seven years ago. Another Mullingar native in the appointments is Fr Patrick Donnelly, who is moving as curate from Ratoath to Tullamore in succession to Fr Padraig Corcoran.The recently ordained priests Fr Joe Campbell and Fr Stephen Kelly will serve as curates in Drogheda and Navan respectively. Commenting on his first appointment, Fr Campbell said “I am looking forward to working with Fr Denis Nulty, Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Drogheda, whom I’ve known for a long time. I’ve also met a number of parishioners from Drogheda on pilgrimages, including Lourdes and San Giovanni Rotondo. Two years ago, I was speaking at Masses in Drogheda about my own vocation story. Little did I know that I would be returning there as a curate.”