Kilmacrennan parishioners ask to meet Bishop over planned transfer of priest

Parishioners in Kilmacrennan are hoping to meet with the Bishop of Raphoe to discuss the transfer of Fr Paddy Dunne out of the parish.

In clerical changes announced this week in the Raphoe Diocese, Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ confirmed that Fr Dunne is to be transferred to become the parish priest in Kilbarron.

Fr Dunne is to succeed the retiring Fr Cathal Ó Fearraí, but the move has been met with outcry in Kilmacrennan.

A committee representing the people of the parish has written to Bishop McGuckian and sought a meeting. A representative form the group told Donegal Live that they hope to sit down with the Bishop early next week.

It is believed that they will put a case to the Bishop seeking to retain Fr Dunne in their locality.

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An online petition has been signed by almost 750 people while local politicians have also communicated with the Bishop on the matter.

Petition organizer Anjanee Shields wrote: “Anyone that knows Father Paddy knows that he's more then a priest to our parish and community. He's one of us.

“We are a parish that should now stand together and try our best to save this situation and prevent our much appreciated and valued priest have to leave.”

A candlelit vigil to ‘keep Fr Paddy Dunne in our parish’ will take place in the car park of St Columba’s Church, Kilmacrennan at 9pm on Friday.

Fr Dunne has been the parish priest in Kilmacrennan since 2010. Having been the Chaplain at St Eunan’s College, Fr Dunne succeeded Fr Michael Conaghan, who had been the PP in Kilmacrennan for 34 years.

Earlier this week, Bishop McGuckian said: “The outpouring of sadness that we are hearing is both a tribute to the priest and the people and the relationship that they have built up.

“I am responsible for a whole Diocese of 33 parishes and something like 50 church areas. The priests join me in that responsibility. Men give themselves heart and soul in the parish they are in, but at a certain stage they have to move on.”

Bishop McGuckian accepted that moves were not easy on the priest or the people. He said: “I do not underestimate that.”