AN additional priest has been assigned to take up duties in the Killarney parish following a shake-up of the diocese, with a number of transfers overseen by Bishop Ray Browne.
KillarneyToday.com can confirm that Fr Jim Linehan, who has been administrator in Eyeries, on the Beara Peninsula, is to move to St Mary’s Cathedral as curate where he will join parish administrator Fir Kieran O’Brien, Fr Niall Howard and Canon Pat Horgan as well as a number of retired priests who offer assistance with Masses and other services.
For the first time in a number of years, no retirements have been announced in the Kerry diocese but two priests – Kenmare and Sneem curate Fr Liam Lovell and Asdee curate Fr Joseph Tarrant have been granted a sabbatical year.
Fr Liam O’Brien, currently in Killorglin, will transfer to Sneem and Fr Con Buckley returns from sabbatical to the Kenmare pastoral area, with specific responsibility for the parish of Kilgarvan.
As confirmed recently, Tarbert will no longer have a resident parish priest and the responsibilities for the parish will be shared by a number of priests in the north Kerry pastoral area.
Fr Danny Broderick, who had served in Tarbert, will take over from Fr Jim Linehan in Eyeries and will also have an input in the parish of Allihies.
The only other appointment is that of Fr Tomás Ó Caoimh who is to be chaplain to the Ardfert Retreat Centre and will reside in Our Lady and St Brendan’s Parish in Tralee.
The following priests have completed their six-year tenures and have been re-appointed to their parishes for further terms: Fr Daniel J O’Riordan, Castleisland; Fr Seán Hanafin, St John’s, Tralee; Fr Liam Comer, Dromtarriffe; Fr Brendan Walsh, Causeway; Fr John Buckley, Annascaul and Fr Eugene Kiely, Ballyferriter.
Commenting on the appointments, Bishop Browne said parish life is healthy throughout the diocese and there is a genuine sense of co-responsibility among people and priests.
“Lay involvement continues to develop and strengthen. So many people everywhere value their parish and wish to contribute to its ongoing health and strength.
“The year-long course in pastoral ministry has been of great benefit and I encourage every parish to ensure that a number from their own parish participate,” he said.
The bishop said coping with change is stressful for everyone, including priests and parish communities, and being in a parish without a resident priest is particularly difficult.
“We have sufficient priests to serve the needs of our diocese, urban and rural, in the years immediately ahead. However, the average age of our priests continues to increase,” he said.
“We all need to promote and pray for vocations to the diocesan priesthood. Are there single men, of whatever age, who at this time are feeling that God might be calling them to serve as priests in our diocese? I believe God will provide for our needs from among ourselves.” Bishop Browne remarked.
The changes, communicated by Diocesan Secretary Fr Donal O’Neill, will become effective on Wednesday, July 16.
