28/08/2026
Bishop Keenan has announced a series of clergy moves and appointments today, Friday 28th August 2026.
Father Laurent Bahati, currently Administrator at Saint Aidan’s, Johnstone and Christ the King, Howwood has been stepped down from this role to resume the role of Curate in these parishes as well as in Saint Margaret’s, Johnstone.
Monsignor Gerard Gallagher, currently Parish Priest of Saint Patrick’s, Greenock will move to become Parish Priest of Saint Aidan’s, Johnstone, Saint Margaret’s, Johnstone, and Christ the King, Howwood.
Canon David Boyd, currently Parish Priest of Saint Bernadette’s, Erskine and Saint John Bosco’s, Erskine will move to become Parish Priest of Saint Patrick’s, Greenock.
Canon John Eagers, currently Parish Priest of Saint James’s, Renfrew and Saint Columba’s, Renfrew will move to become Parish Priest of Saint Bernadette’s, Erskine and Saint John Bosco’s, Erskine.
Father Paul Brady, currently Parish Priest of Saint Margaret’s, Johnstone, will move to become Parish Priest of Saint James’s, Renfrew and Saint Columba’s, Renfrew.
Canon Des Berry, currently Parish Priest of Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick’s, Wemyss Bay will retire.
Canon Michael McMahon, currently Parish Priest of Saint Conval’s, Linwood will move to become Parish Priest of Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick’s, Wemyss Bay.
Father Joe McGill, currently Curate at Saint John’s, Barrhead, will move to become Parish Priest of Saint Conval’s, Linwood. He has also been appointed Chaplain to St Benedict’s High School, Linwood.
Moreover, as well as the above clergy moves, Bishop Keenan has made the following appointments:
Father Jonathan Whitworth has been appointed Vicar Episcopal for Education.
Father John Morrison has been appointed Director of Diocesan Pilgrimages.
Canon Joe Balmer has been appointed Vicar Episcopal for Caritas.
Father Ryan Black has been appointed Chaplain to Trinity High School, Renfrew.
Father Paul Laverty has been appointed Chaplain to Saint Luke’s High School, Barrhead.
Father Thomas John has been appointed Spiritual Director to the Diocesan SSVP.
Canon Jim Duggan and Father Maurice Callaghan have been appointed as Canons de numero of the Cathedral Chapter.
These appointments will take effect on Friday 18th September 2026.
Please pray for all priests and parishes involved. Bishop Keenan has expressed his gratitude to all those involved in this set of moves and changes, for their willingness and desire to serve the Diocese of Paisley in these new roles. In a special way, he has expressed his gratitude to Canon Des Berry for a lifetime of service to the diocese and wishes him many happy years of well-deserved retirement. Finally, he has complimented Father Matthew Carlin on his readiness to serve as Vice-Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.
