Having reviewed the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ announces the following retirements – reassignment and appointments with effect from Saturday 16 August 2025.
Retirements – Reassignment
Very Rev Canon John Murray formerly Parish Priest of Downpatrick to be Pastor Emeritus and to assist within the Downpatrick Family of Parishes.
Very Rev Peter O’Hare formerly Parish Priest of St Anne’s Parish, Belfast to be Pastor Emeritus.
Appointments
Very Rev Derek Kearney SMA to be Administrator of the parishes of Kilmore and Killyleagh.
Very Rev Brian McCann to be Parish Priest of Newtownards and Comber.
Very Rev Manuelito Milo to be Administrator of the Parish of Larne.
Very Rev Francis O’Brien to be Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Parish, Belfast.
Very Rev Martin O’Hagan to be Parish Priest of St Anne’s Parish and Derriaghy Parish.
Very Rev Eugene O’Neill to be Parish Priest of the Parish of Downpatrick.
Very Rev Nideesh Varghese to be Administrator of St Luke’s Parish, Twinbrook and Nativity Parish, Poleglass.
Rev Colin Grant formerly Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School to be Assistant Priest within the Upper Falls Family of Parishes and to continue as Director of The Catholic Schools’ Support Service.
Rev Benedict Kurian to be Healthcare Chaplain in addition to his appointment as Chaplain to the Syro-Malankara community.
I would like to record my thanks to all involved in and affected by these appointments for their co-operation and I wish them God’s blessing, good health and fulfilment in their respective ministries.
On behalf of the faithful of the diocese, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Very Rev John Murray and Very Rev Peter O’Hare who have retired from the office of Parish Priest after many years of ministry and fruitful service.
I warmly welcome Rev Benedict Kurian into the Diocese of Down and Connor from the Diocese of Mavelikara, India, who, in addition to ministering to the local Syro-Malankara community, will assist as a Healthcare Chaplain.
Finally, I express my gratitude to the many permanent deacons, religious and lay faithful across the Diocese of Down and Connor who collaboratively support the priests and minister alongside them in our Families of Parishes, particularly in the fields of funeral ministry, adult faith development and parish leadership.
With every blessing and good wish,
I gCroí Íosa
ENDS
Bishop Alan McGuckianSJ is Bishop of Down and Connor