Downpatrick PP among list of changes in local diocese

10 September 2014

SEVERAL priests will move parishes at the end of the month following the announcement of new clerical appointments across Down and Connor.

Bishop Noel Treanor has confirmed that Downpatrick Parish Priest Canon Sean Rogan will retire on September 25 when he will be replaced by Fr. John Murray from St. Michael the Archangel in Belfast.

Canon Rogan, who has been in Downpatrick for the past nine years, will move to Kilcoo where he will replace Fr. James O’Kane as Pastor Emeritus and priest in residence.

Crossgar’s parish priest Fr. Maurice Henry will retire and be Pastor Emeritus and curate in Downpatrick with residency in Ballykinlar.

The diocese’s most recently ordained priest, Fr. Dominic McGrattan, from Portaferry, will take up his first post as curate of St. Patrick’s Church, Belfast, and chaplain to the Mater Hospital.

Killyleagh’s parish priest, Fr. Eugene O’Neill, has been given the additional parish of Crossgar to attend as parish priest.

He will have the assistance of curate Fr. Patrick McCafferty, who was previously assistant chaplain to the Ulster Hospital.

Fr. Declan Mulligan will leave Newcastle to become parish priest of Aghagallon. He will be replaced by Fr. Colin Crossey, who was previously chaplain to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Holywood parish priest Fr. Peter O’Kane will replace Fr. Colm McGrady in Strangford and Kilclief following his recent passing.

The changes will come into effect on September 25.

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