ONE third of the Catholic parishes in this diocese are now without a resident priest under the age of 75, the Bishop of Killaloe has revealed.
Announcing the Killaloe Diocesan Appointments for 2021, which, in most cases, will take effect next month, Bishop Monahan acknowledged the challenges and opportunities for the diocese. He also expressed gratitude to a number of priests who have opted to continue ministering beyond the retirement age of 75.
“One of the great signs of hope in the diocese at present is the coming on-stream this year of 25 lay people trained in the area of Pastoral Care and Catechetics,” the bishop said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with them in the pastoral areas of the diocese.” 
Bishop Monahan also expressed thanks to the Covid committees and the many volunteers who have worked so hard to ensure that churches and places of worship across the diocese are as safe as possible over the past year-and-a-half. 
As announced last month, Fr Ger Nash, Diocesan Secretary, Director of Pastoral Planning is to become Bishop of Ferns.
John Bane, Co-PP, Ceantar na Lochanna Pastoral Area, resident in Broadford, is to retire to Ennis.
Peter O’Loughlin, Co-PP, Inis Cathaigh Pastoral Area, resident in Kilmihil is to retire as Co-PP and to remain on as AP.
Pat O’Neill, Co-PP, Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area, resident in Ruan is to retire as Co-PP but will stay on as AP in Ruan and in the Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area.
Ger Jones, Co-PP, Odhrán Pastoral Area, resident in Portroe to be Diocesan Secretary and Co-PP, Abbey Pastoral Area and resident in Cloughleigh.
Damien Nolan, Co-PP, VF is to be PP of the Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area.
Martin Blake, Co PP, Críocha Callan Pastoral Area, resident in Kilmaley Parish, is to undertake a sabbatical with a view to returning to pastoral ministry in the diocese in 2022.
Tom Fitzpatrick, Co-PP, Tradaree Pastoral Area, Resident in Newmarket-on-Fergus is to be Co-PP, Abbey Pastoral Area, and resident in Doora-Barefield Parish. His appointment is to take effect from October 1.
Michael Collins, Director of Formation, Maynooth is to be Co-PP, Tradaree Pastoral Area, resident in Newmarket-on-Fergus and will be director of Pastoral Planning for the Diocese. His appointment is to take effect from October 1.
David Carroll, Co-PP, VF, Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area, resident in Bodyke is to be Co-PP of the Abbey Pastoral Area, and resident in St Joseph’s, Ennis.
John McGovern, Co-PP, Abbey Pastoral Area, resident in St. Joseph’s, Ennis, is to be Co-PP, Críocha Callan Pastoral Area, resident in Kilmaley Parish.
Joe McMahon, Co-PP, Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area, resident in Scarriff, is to be VF of the Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area.
Dariusz Plasek, Co-PP, Abbey Pastoral Area, resident in Ennis, is to be Co-PP, Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area and resident in Bodyke.
James Michael, Tradaree Pastoral Area, resident in Shannon to be CC, in the Pastoral Area of Tradaree, continuing to reside in Shannon. Both James Michael and Francis Xavier Kochuveettil, along with duties in Shannon, are to assist in the pastoral area to give Michael Collins in Newmarket-on-Fergus scope for pastoral planning and to help also in Sixmilebridge.
Pat Deely, Redwood, Lorrha, is to assist in the Pastoral Area of Cois Deirge.
Brendan Moloney, Co-PP, Odhrán Pastoral Area, resident in Silvermines is to retire as Co-PP and VF but will remain in Odhrán Pastoral Area and Silvermines as AP.
Joe Kennedy, Co-PP, Olatrim Pastoral Area, resident in Monegal, Dunkerrin Parish is to retire as Co-PP and to remain on as AP.
Pat Gilbert is to retire from St Brendan’s Community College and to undertake a sabbatical with a view to returning to pastoral ministry in the diocese in 2022.
Des Hillery, Co-PP, VG is to become VF of Odhrán Pastoral Area for a period of one year.  In addition to duties in Nenagh and the pastoral area, he will take on parish responsibility for Portroe.
Rexon Chullickal, CC, Odhrán Pastoral Area, resident in Nenagh, in addition to duties in Nenagh and the pastoral area, is to take on parish responsibility for Youghalarra.
As agreed restructuring of Cronan Pastoral Area to take place in 2022.