Diocese to undergo major priest reshuffle
The head of Cork’s largest Catholic diocese has announced changes to the appointment of 20 priests and one deacon.
Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, made the announcement at the weekend, informing the public that the changes will come into effect this Saturday.
In the announcement, Bishop Fintan thanked all of the priests undertaking new appointments this year, as well as thanking those who are retiring from a fulltime appointment.
He said: “I continue to be grateful to all of you for your ministry and your commitment to serve the people of the diocese.
“I also extend a warm welcome to the priests who are coming from abroad to minister in our diocese. We are deeply appreciative of their generosity in responding to the needs of our local church here in Cork and Ross and we look forward to the gifts, experience, and richness they will bring to our faith communities.”
Appointments
Canon Robert Brophy, Co-Parish Priest (PP) in Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart, and Wilton, will continue in his current roles while also fulfilling the role of assistant director of vocations for the diocese.
Canon Teddy O’Sullivan, Co-PP in Douglas and Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange, and Turner’s Cross, continues to be Co-PP in the same Family of Parishes.
Canon John Paul Hegarty, Co-PP in Ballyphehane, The Lough, and Togher will now be assistant priest (AP) in the same parishes.
Fr Patrick A McCarthy, returning from sabbatical leave, will be Co-PP and moderator in Douglas and Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange, and Turner’s Cross.
Fr Bernard Cotter returns from sabbatical leave as Co-PP in Aughadown, Castlehaven and Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath, and the Islands and Skibbereen.
Fr Daniel Pyburn, Co-PP in Ballinhassig, Clontead, Courceys, and Kinsale to be made Co-PP in Ballyphehane, The Lough, and Togher. Fr Cian O’Sullivan will begin a period of sabbatical leave, taking up a new appointment in the Summer of 2027.
Fr Anthony O’Mahony will become be Co-PP in Ardfield/Rathbarry, Barryroe, Clonakilty, Kilmeen and Castleventry, Rosscarbery and Lisavaird, and Timoleague.
Fr Michael Anthony Buckley Catholic Curate (CC) will become Co-PP in Drimoleague, Dunmanway, Kilmichael, and Uibh Laoire. Fr Sean Crowley CC will switch to Co-PP in Ballinhassig, Clontead, Courceys, and Kinsale.
Fr Marius O’Reilly CC will become director of vocations for the diocese and parish chaplain in his current family of parishes.
Fr Pat O’Mahony, Societas Missionum ad Afros (SMA) CC to become CC in St Joseph’s Mayfield, Upper Mayfield, and pastoral care of Holy Family Church, Military Hill.
Fr Kenneth Cooney SMA to become CC in Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well, and The Cathedral.
Fr Jilson Kokkandathail CC will become CC in Bantry, Caheragh, Goleen, Muintir Bháire, and Schull.
Fr Mathew Jacob (Archdiocese of Changanacherry, India) will become CC in Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well and The Cathedral. He will also be chaplain to the Syro Malabar community.
Fr Fergus Ryan Order of Preachers (OP) will switch to CC in Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well, and The Cathedral.Fr Prasad Rao Chinthakunta, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) (Indian province) to become CC in Clogheen and Kerry Pike, Farranree, Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny, and Hollyhill.
Fr Tijo John MSC (Indian province) to become CC in Clogheen and Kerry Pike, Farranree, Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny, and Hollyhill.
Fr Alex Kulandaisamy MSC (Indian province) will be CC in Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart, and Wilton, while also serving as part-time chaplain at MUH.
Fr Raphael Ssemmanda (Diocese of Masaka, Uganda) will become CC in Douglas and Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange, and Turner’s Cross.
Fr Jaison Mathew, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), Chaplain in CUH, has returned to his order.
Paul Ryan was ordained to the permanent diaconate on 21 June in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timoleague. He is appointed deacon in Ardfield and Rathbarry, Barryroe, Clonakilty, Kilmeen and Castleventry, Rosscarbery and Lisavaird, and Timoleague.