16/08/2024
Today, Bishop Keenan met with some priests of the diocese who generously agreed to the
following moves and changes of remit:
Father Jonathan Whitworth, currently Administrator at St Thomas’, Neilston demits this post.
Canon Peter McGarry, currently PP at Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishopton will move to become PP at St Thomas, Neilston.
Father Daniel Fitzpatrick, currently PP at St John the Baptist, Port Glasgow will move to become PP at Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishopton. He has also been appointed Chaplain to Trinity High School, Renfrew and Moderator of the Diocesan Curia.
Father Joseph Balmer, currently PP at St John the Evangelist, Barrhead will move to become PP at St John the Baptist, Port Glasgow and Administrator of St Colm’s, Kilmacolm. Father Balmer will also become a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter.
Monsignor John Tormey, currently PP at St Aidan’s, Johnstone will move to become PP at St John the Evangelist, Barrhead. I have also released Monsignor Tormey from his remit as Chaplain to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley.
Father Matthew Carlin, currently PP at St Francis, Port Glasgow will move to become PP at St Aidan’s, Johnstone and will take on the remit of Teacher Approvals for the diocese. I have also released Father Carlin from the diocesan remits of MC and Chaplain to the Girl Guides.
Father Jonathan Whitworth will become PP at St Francis, Port Glasgow and Holy Family, Port Glasgow as well as Chaplain to St Stephen’s High School, Port
Glasgow. I have released Father Whitworth from the remit of Chaplain to the Scouts.
Father John Morrison, currently PP of St Fergus, Paisley and St Mary’s, Paisley demits the post at St Fergus and retains that at St Mary’s. Father Morrison has also been released of the diocesan remit Vicar Episcopal for Youth.
Father Thomas John, currently PP at St Peter’s, Paisley will take on the additional post of PP at St Fergus, Paisley.
Father Ryan Black will take on the role of Vicar Episcopal for the Youth of the diocese.
Father Joseph McGill has been appointed Chaplain to St Luke’s High School, Barrhead, Clergy Representative on the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group (DSAG) and assistant diocesan MC, as well as maintaining his role as Pastoral Director for Young Adults.
Deacon Paul Laverty has been appointed Assistant Chaplain to St Andrew’s High School, Paisley, Assistant Pastoral Director to Young Adults and Chaplain to Scouts & Guides.
Father Gerry McNellis has been appointed Vicar Episcopal for the Caritas Commission.
Father John Eagers has been appointed Coordinating Chaplain to Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley. He has also been released as Chaplain to Trinity High School, Renfrew.
Monsignor Gerard Gallagher has been appointed Vicar Episcopal of the Diocesan Structures & Collaboration Commission.
Father Eoin Patten has been appointed to the College of Consultors.
All that above moves and changes of remit will come into effect at midday on Friday 6th September 2024.
Please keep all those involved, the parishes and the diocese as a whole in your prayers.
