New appointments, involving both clergy and lay staff, having been agreed over recent months and, while they have been announced as they took place, I now wish to communicate the full list.
I take this opportunity to thank all involved for their very generous ministry in their present parish and diocesan appointments and wish them every blessing in the future. In particular, I wish Canon Gerard Hanly every health and happiness as he retires from the office of Parish Priest of Boyle after 28 years.
In what is another first for our dioceses, I am very grateful to Fr Gabriel Murphy for his generosity in taking on an additional parish “across the border” in the Diocese of Elphin.
I take this opportunity to welcome Fr Luke Muhindo and Fr Ronnie Kawooya, members of the East African Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross who will live as a Religious Community in Ballintubber, serving as Parish Priests of Ballintubber and Tulsk, respectively.
As we continue our journey together, I am grateful to all who give so much in service to the people of God in this part of the Lord’s vineyard. I am grateful too for your continued support and prayers for me in my ministry as bishop.
+Kevin Doran
Bishop of Achonry and of Elphin
7 November 2026
CLERGY APPOINTMENTS
Accord
Fr Jim Murray (Elphin) and Fr Joe Caulfield (Achonry) have stepped down as Directors of Accord, in their respective Dioceses.
Fr John Mahony has been appointed Director of Accord for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, effective 1st August 2026.
Ahascragh Parish
Fr Micheál Donnelly PP, Fairymount and Frenchpark, has been appointed Parish Priest of Ahascragh, effective 1st July 2026.
Athleague and Kilbegnet Parishes
Fr Pravin Dhason PP, Kilbegnet, has been appointed Parish Priest of Athleague in addition to being Parish Priest of Kilbegnet, effective 18th March 2026.
Fr Joseph Ali, CC Athleague and Knockcroghery has been appointed CC Athleague and Kilbegnet, effective 18th March 2026.
Aughanagh Parish
Deacon Damien Kearns has concluded his term as Administrator of Aughanagh Parish.
Fr Gabriel Murphy PP, Keash (Achonry), has been appointed Parish Priest of Aughanagh (Elphin), in addition to being Parish Priest of Keash, effective 7th November 2026.
Ballinameen and Croghan Parishes
Fr Alan Conway PP, Croghan, has been appointed PP Ballinameen, in addition to being PP Croghan, effective 1st July 2026.
Fr John Mahony PP, Ahascragh, has been appointed CC Ballinameen and Croghan, effective 1st July 2026.
Ballintubber Parish
Fr Julian Lupot PP, Ballintubber, has taken a one-year sabbatical, effective 21st August 2026.
Fr Luke Muhindo CSC, has been appointed PP Ballintubber, effective 21st August 2026.
Boyle Parish
Canon Gerard Hanly PP, Boyle, has retired from the office of Parish Priest, effective 31st July 2026.
Fr John Gannon PP, Tulsk, has been appointed PP Boyle, effective 1st August 2026.
Fairymount and Frenchpark Parishes
Fr Larry Ebuk MSP PP, Ballinameen, has been appointed PP Fairymount and of Frenchpark, effective 1st July 2026.
Sligo Cathedral Parish
Fr Innocent Sunu CC, has been recalled to his home diocese of Maiduguri (Nigeria), effective 1st July 2026.
Tulsk Parish
Fr Ronald Kawooya CSC, has been appointed PP Tulsk, effective 7th September 2026, and residing in Ballintubber.
NEW DIOCESAN STAFF AND VOLUNTEER APPOINTMENTS
Finance Manager
The role of Mr Conor Ward, Finance and Asset Manager in the Diocese of Elphin has been altered, and he has been appointed Finance Manager for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, effective 11th May 2026.
Property Manager
Mr Frank Fox has been appointed Property Manager for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, effective 11th May 2026.
Safeguarding
Ms Helen Diskin has retired as Director of Safeguarding for the Diocese of Achonry and as Diocesan Liaison Person and Safeguarding Trainer for the Diocese of Elphin, effective 3 November 2026.
Mrs Mary Nicholson, currently Director of Safeguarding in the Diocese of Elphin has been appointed Director of Safeguarding for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, effective 3rd November 2026.
Sr Pat Casey, Diocesan Liaison Person for the Diocese of Achonry has stepped down from this role, effective 3rd November 2026.
Mrs Anne Leonard, currently Diocesan Liaison Person in the Diocese of Achonry, will now be one of two Diocesan Liaison Persons for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin.
Mrs Patricia Rogers has been appointed Diocesan Liaison Person and Trainer for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, effective 3rd November 2026.
The respective safeguarding committees of Achonry and of Elphin will shortly be joined to become one new Safeguarding Committee for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Mr Stephen Giblin and Deacon Seamus Talbot concluded their terms as Coordinators of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Dioceses of Achonry and of Elphin, respectively.
Ms Sinead Fallon has been appointed Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, effective 15th July 2026.
Trócaire
Fr Gerard Davey (Achonry) and Deacon William Gacquin (Elphin) have concluded their time as diocesan representatives for Trócaire. Mr Noel Connelly has been appointed Diocesan Representative for Achonry and Elphin.