Diocesan Changes 2024

Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois.
Diocesan Changes 2024.

Fr Patrick Lennon, PP Dromard to retire.

Fr Pat was ordained for the diocese by Bishop Cahal Daly in Ballinamuck Church on
6 June 1973. He served as a curate in Kiltoghert parish from 1973 to 1978, after
which he served on the diocesan mission in Chipata, Zambia until 1985. On his
return to the diocese he served as a curate in St. Mary’s parish in Athlone, becoming
its Administrator in 1991. In 1997 he was appointed as parish priest of Ballinahown.
In January 1999 he went to serve on the diocesan mission in Mutare, Zimbabwe and
remained there until 2005. He then was appointed Administrator of Ardagh,
becoming its parish priest in 2011. In September 2018 Fr Pat was appointed parish
priest of Dromard.
Fr Cathal Faughnan, PP Kilronan,

Fr. Cathal Faughnan

(Keadue, Arigna & Ballyfarnan) to retire.
Fr Cathal was ordained for the diocese by Bishop Cahal Daly in St. Mel’s Cathedral,
Longford on 13 June 1976. He served as a curate in Ballinahown from 1976 until he
was appointed chaplain to the Secondary Schools in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1977.
He was then appointed as a curate in Longford in 1979 where he served until his
departure to the diocesan mission in Chipata, Zambia in 1989. On his return in 1995
he was briefly Administrator of Killenummery parish. In 1995 he was appointed as
priest in charge of Aughavas and Cloone parish, and remained there until his
appointment as parish priest of Kilronan in 2008.
I would like to sincerely thank both Fr Pat and Fr Cathal for the sterling service they
have given to the diocese over the years. I wish them a long, blessed and fulfilling
retirement.

Fr Michael Bannon, PP Lough Gowna & Mullinalaghta, remaining as PP Lough
Gowna & Mullinalaghta but retiring as Diocesan Chancellor.
Fr Tom Healy, PP Edgeworthstown & Diocesan Secretary appointed Chancellor of
the diocese.
Fr Michael Mc Grath, CC Longford appointed also as Vicar for Marriages.
Fr Tom Cox, Adm Clonmacnois, appointed PP Kilronan, (Keadue, Arigna &
Ballyfarnan).
Fr. Peter Burke, PP Ferbane appointed also Adm. Clonmacnois, Shannonbridge &
Clonfanlough.
Fr. Michael Alanga, Diocese of Pankshin, Nigeria to be CC Clonmacnois,
Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough.
Fr Simon Cadam, PP Granard appointed also Adm. Abbeylara.
Fr. P. J. Hughes, PP Mullahoran & Loughduff appointed PP Dromard.

Fr. Joe McGrath, CC Mount Temple appointed Adm. Mullahoran.
Fr. Reji Kurian, CC Ballinahown appointed CC Moate & Mount Temple.
Fr. Charlie Healy, PP Carrickedmond & Abbeyshrule appointed CC St. Mary’s
Athlone.

Fr. Liam Murray, PP Ballymahon appointed also Adm. Carrickedmond &
Abbeyshrule.
Fr. Vincent Connaughton, PP Ardagh &; Moydow appointed also Adm. Legan.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the priests of the diocese who have so
generously agreed to take on extra responsibilities, as can be clearly seen from
these appointments. As a diocese we continue to prepare for the future and as part
of that process I am issuing a pastoral letter to the diocese this coming weekend.
The above appointments will take effect on Saturday 24 August.

+ Paul Connell
Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois.