Ballymore to be left without fulltime priest and fr michael kilmartin is leaving mullingar

 

Fears in Ballymore that the parish is to be left without a full-time priest have come to fruition – and Mullingar is to lose its long-time servant, Fr Michael Kilmartin.

Bishop Michael Smith has announced that Fr Philip Smith, parish priest of Ballymore is retiring, and that Fr Oliver Devine, parish priest of the neighbouring parish of Drumraney is to assume responsibility for Ballymore.

The news is a blow to Ballymore parish, which has two churches – that of Ballymore itself, and that of Boher.  In times past, the parish had two priests.

Fr Michael Kilmartin, who has for many years been curate in Mullingar parish, becomes Parish Priest of Longwood, taking up his appointment in December following short sabbatical leave.

The announcements are among a number of clerical changes for the Meath diocese made by Bishop Smith.

Fr Oliver J Devine, parish priest of Mountnugent is retiring.

Fr Philip O'Connor parish priest of Dysart is to become parish priest of Mountnugent.  He will be replaced as parish priest of Dysart by Fr David O’Hanlon, who is currently curate in Summerhill.

Fr Robert McGivney, recently ordained and currently ministering in Mornington will become curate in Mullingar parish.  He will take up this appointment in December.

Fr Paul Kangkai from the Diocese of Jalingo in Nigeria, will be attached to Mullingar parish as he pursues post-graduate studies in Maynooth.

Fr Emmanuel Abu from the Diocese Idah in Nigeria and ministering in Kinnegad has completed his doctoral studies in Maynooth and will be returning to his Diocese.

Fr Luke Ohiemi from the Diocese of Idah in Nigeria will minister in Kinnegad parish while pursuing post-graduate studies in Maynooth.

 

Fr Mark English, returning from sabbatical leave, will serve as Administrator of Kingscourt parish, while Fr Gerard McCormack, parish priest of Kingscourt is taking sabbatical leave at Hawkstone Hall, England and then the Tantur Centre, Jerusalem.

Fr Robert McCabe, Curate in Stamullen parish and Chaplain to the Defence Forces becomes Curate in Navan parish. 

Fr Stephen Kelly, Curate in Navan parish is joining the Pontifical Academy of the Holy See, Rome.

Fr Patrick Kearney, Parish Priest of Longwood, becomes Parish Priest of Kilskyre.

Fr Ciaran Clarke, Curate in Dunboyne parish becomes Curate in Ashbourne parish.

Fr Michael Hinds, Curate in Ashbourne parish becomes Curate in Dunboyne parish.