Clerical changes announced by Bishop Michael Smith

A number of clerical changes have been announced by Most Rev Dr Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath.

Fr Joe Deegan, Parish Priest of Slane, has taken up an appointment under the auspices of the Society of St Columban.

He will be succeeded as Parish Priest of Slane by Fr Dwayne Gavin.

A native of Kells, Fr Gavin was ordained on November 5 2000. He served as curate in Navan until September 2013. Since then he has successfully completed post-graduate studies at the Institut Catholique in Paris, while ministering as chaplain to the Irish community in France, a role now being fulfilled by Mons. Hugh Connolly, formerly president of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Fr Colm Browne, curate in Dunshaughlin, has commenced a sabbatical year.

He will be succeeded as curate in Dunshaughlin by Fr Declan Kelly. A native of Rochfortbridge, Fr Kelly was ordained at the Cathedral of Christ the King on September 21 2014 and has served as curate in Trim for the past three years. He will be resident at the Parochial House in Culmullen.