Diocesan Appointments for Killaloe, Summer 2025
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Annual World day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests
(Appointments take effect from Friday 15th of August 2025)
Making the diocesan appointments is getting increasingly difficult every year. This year, despite the small number of appointments it was exceptionally difficult due to a number of extra vacancies.
We now have 31 parishes out of 58 with no resident priest under 75 years of age.
Currently in 2025 we have 52 incardinated priests in active ministry under the age of 75.
In 2030 we will have 41.
In 2035 we will have 27.
In 2040 we will have 22.
These stark statistics speak for themselves.
It is not possible to continue to sustain the level of pastoral care we currently provide in the 58 parishes and 15 pastoral areas. It is clear that in the coming year and beyond we need to address this in order to be able to provide a structure to continue to offer pastoral care and for the well-being of clergy, volunteer ministers and all involved in faith related activities.
However, in this Jubilee Year of Hope we journey forward in faith and trust in the Lord, for as St. Paul reminds us “Hope does not disappoint, Roman 5:5”.
The appointments for this year are as follows and sincere thanks to all for their generosity of service and willingness to embrace change:
Fr. Donal Dwyer, Co-PP, Ceantar na Lochanna, resident in O’Callaghan’s Mills to become AP and continue to offer pastoral support in Ceantar na Lochanna.
Fr. Ignatius McCormack, Principal Teacher in St. Flannan’s College to retire from St. Flannan’s College and to go on sabbatical leave with view to returning to parish ministry in 2026.
Fr. Donagh O’Meara, Co-PP, V.F., Críocha Callan Pastoral Area, resident in Mullagh to reside in Miltown Malbay.
Fr. Brendan Kyne, Co-PP, Radharc na nOileán, resident in Ballynacally to be VF for the Radharc na nOileán Pastoral Area.
Fr. Martin Blake, Co-PP, Abbey Pastoral Area, resident in Ennis to be Co-PP, Radharc na nOileán Pastoral Area, resident in Kildysart.
Fr. Pat Larkin, Co-PP, Inis Cathaigh Pastoral Area, resident in Kilrush to be Co-PP, Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area, resident in Scariff.
Fr. Michael Collins, V.F., Co-PP, Radharc na nOileán, to be Co-PP, Inis Cathaigh, resident in Kilrush, continuing as vicar for evengelisation and mission.
Fr. Jibin Jose, residing in Ennis to be CC, pro-tem in the Abbey pastoral area. He will also continue his role as content creator for social media and assistant to Fr. Arnold Rosney in managing social media platforms.
Fr. Richard Sseremba, Archdiocese of Kampala to be CC in Abbey Pastoral Area, resident in Ennis.
Fr. Michael Geraghty, Co-PP, Tradaree, resident in Shannon to succeed Fr. Ignatius McCormack as Vocations Director, pro-tem, working with Fr. Brendan Quinlivan, Assistant Director of Vocations.
An tAth. Breandán Ó Caoindealbháin, chomh maith lena chuid dualgaisí i gCeantar na Lochanna agus Oifigeach Caidrimh Phoiblí do dheoise Cill dá Lua – le bheith ina shéiplíneach, Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Inis in ionad An tEaspag Liam Breathnach, RIP.
Volunteer Ministers
All 24 Volunteer Ministers of Pastoral Care and Catechesis to be reappointed for a second 3 year term. Well done to them all and many thanks on completing the first term in the areas of pastoral care and catechesis.
Every good wish to the 31 new volunteer ministers who have completed the discernment period and are well under way with year one of studies in pastoral care and catechesis.
Other Pastoral Appointments Pending
Appointment of an assistant to work with Fr. Michael Collins in Evangelisation and Mission is pending
Appointment also pending of an assistants to work in the area of Primary Religious Advisor to complement the work of Sr. Essie Hayes and Ms. Áine MacMathúna in the Gaelscoileanna.