Changes in the Kildare & Leighlin diocese will see a priest, currently in Portlaoise, move to help out in the parish of Stradbally.
The changes were announced by Bishop Denis Nulty and will come into effect on Friday, August 4.
Fr Gerard Breen succeeded Fr Sean Maher in Stradbally in 2018 but he is set to go on sabbatical – residing in Doonane.
And he is to be replaced by Fr David Vard, who has been stationed in the Portlaoise Parish since 2017.
The Kildare native, who was the youngest priest in Ireland when originally ordained, become Apostolic administrator in Stradbally (while assisting in the wider Portlaoise Pastoral Area).
Fr Sean Kelly, who recently celebrated his diamond jubilee as a priest, retired as parish priest some years ago but continues to preach in the parish.
Fr Adriano de Oliveira, currently Curate in Kilcock, is to become Curate in Portlaoise.
Other changes will see Fr Padraig Shelley, who is currently Parish Priest in Arles, become Apostolic administrator in Doonane.
Fr Joe O’Neill, Curate of Portarlington/Emo, is to become Parish Priest of Kill (and will assist in the Cluster of Naas, Sallins, Two-Mile-House and Kill in Naas Pastoral Area).
That means that Fr Eugen Dragos Tamas, currently Curate in Newbridge, is to become Curate in Portarlington /Emo (and to assist in neighbouring parishes in the Portarlington Pastoral Area).
Confirming the changes, Bishop Nulty said: “As I announce the Diocesan Appointments for 2023 I want to thank most sincerely all the priests for engagement in this process.
“The appointments can no longer simply mean moving a priest from one parish to another but, in the context of our new reality, these changes also now mean that all priests must cast their nets wide into the newly formed parish cluster groups and pastoral areas.
“The importance of working together has never been more urgent than it is now. While change is never easy it is now wholly necessary for the continuation of the work we all do to further the Lord’s mission.
“I want to congratulate all our priests who are celebrating particular jubilees at this time.
“It is interesting to note that our Diamond Jubilarian Class, Sean Conlon, Phil O’Shea, Eddie Aughney, Eddie Moore and the late Ger O’Byrne, were part of a group of nine men who were ordained for the diocese in 1963.
“The changes that have occurred in these last 60 years would never have been imagined on their ordination days and bring very much into focus the importance of supporting and praying for vocations in this ‘Year of Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood’.”
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