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Bishop promotes two Inishowen
priests
14.08.07
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TWO Inishowen-born
curates have been promoted by Bishop Seamus Hegarty
and are returning to their native peninsula as
parish priests. |
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Buncrana native, Fr.
Fintan Diggin and Culdaff-born, Fr. Paddy O'Kane are
among at least 25 priests who are on the move in one
of the biggest ever shake-ups of the Derry Diocese.
Fr. Diggin, who is a brother of Independent Cllr.
Philip Diggin, is taking up his new post as parish
priest of Clonmany, replacing Fr. Jack Farrell, who
is retiring.
Fr. O'Kane, meanwhile, will be installed shortly as
parish priest of Moville following the retirement of
Fr. George McLaughlin.
Both Fr. Diggin and Fr. O'Kane are leaving curate |
posts in Derry -
Pennyburn and Ballymagroarty, respectively. Bishop
Hegarty's spokesperson, Fr. Michael Canny of
Clonmany told InishowenNews.com the full list of
changes had yet to be finalised. But he said he
hoped to have confirmation by the end of the week.
The biggest changes are expected to happen on
Derry's cityside with around 12 priests expected to
move. Three parishes in Derry - St. Patrick’s
Pennyburn, St. Brigid’s, Carnhill and St. Joseph’s,
Galliagh - are being amalgamated into one 'super
parish' to be known as the 'Three Patrons Parish'.
It is understood a parish priest will reside in St.
Patrick’s with curates based at St. Brigid’s and St.
Joseph’s.
It is understood the changes are coming about
because of a shortage of priests coupled with the
retirement of older clergy and a fall-off in church
attendances. |
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