Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ has announced three new clergy changes in the Raphoe diocese today.
The clerical moves will see East Donegal priest Rev Dr Niall Coll returning to the diocese after 19 years away. Fr Coll has been a lecturer in Religious Studies at Belfast’s St Mary’s University College since 2001.
The St. Johnston native will take up the role as Parish Priest of Drumholm (Ballintra) from 11th September.
The late Rev Joseph O’Donnell had served as the Parish Priest of Ballintra prior to his passing in July 2019. Fr O’Donnell and Fr Coll, both St. Johnston men, were ordained to the priesthood on the same day in 1988.
Other clergy appointments have been announced for Glenswilly today.
Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Administrator at St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny will also be Administrator of Glenswilly and Templedouglas. Rev Father Jonathan Flood, Chaplain at St Eunan’s College Letterkenny will also be Curate (CC) in Glenswilly effective 4th of September.
Bishop McGuckian has issued a thank you to both men for accepting their appointments and wishes them and those with whom they serve every blessing in the time ahead.
A statement from the Diocese of Raphoe said: “The Bishop also wants thank Fr Ó Fearrai, Fr Hanlon and Fr Burke for their generous ministry to the Parish of Ballintra since the loss of Fr Joe O’Donnell (RIP) in July 2019.
“He also appreciates the Priests of the Cathedral parish who have generously taken care of the Parish of Glenswilly since Fr Sweeney (RIP) first became ill in 2019.”
