Two priests with combined 100 years plus of ministry stepping back

TWO priests with more than 100 years of ministry between them are stepping back from parish administration in the Diocese of Achonry.

They are Fr. Thomas Johnston, Charlestown, and Fr. Thomas Towey, Ballisodare, who previously served in a number of Mayo parishes.

Bishop Kevin Doran has announced a number of diocesan appointments in the Diocese of Achonry prompted by the resignations of the two much loved parish priests, who are stepping back from the burden of responsibility for parish administration.

Fr. Johnston will be stepping down from his responsibility for the governance and pastoral care of the parish of Charlestown. He will continue to live in Charlestown as Pastor Emeritus.

Fr. Towey similarly is stepping down from his responsibility for the governance and pastoral care of the parish of Ballisodare. He will be Pastor Emeritus of Ballisodare, but resident in Ballaghaderreen.

Fr. John Maloney, Adm., Attymas, has been appointed Parish Priest of Charlestown, a move which reflects the new closer relationship between the two dioceses, while Fr. Gerard Cryan (a member of the teaching staff at Summerhill College, Sligo) has been appointed Administrator of the Parish of Ballisodare.

Arrangements are being made for the pastoral care of the Parish of Attymas, and an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

A statement issued by the dioceses said Bishop Kevin expects a further small number of appointments in both dioceses later in the summer.

Fr. Johnston and Fr. Towey have, between them, given over one hundred years of priestly ministry to the people of Achonry.

Fr. Towey served in Bonniconlon, Charlestown and Kiltimagh, before becoming PP of Bonniconlon in 1992 and then Ballisodare in 2007. He was also on the teaching staff of St. Nathy's College for 12 years.

Fr. Johnston served in the parishes of Achonry, Buninadden (at Killavil) and Collooney before becoming Parish Priest of Achonry in 1992 and of Charlestown in 2003. He also served twice on the staff of St. Nathy's College and was Vicar General for 10 years.

Said Bishop Kevin: “This is a remarkable witness of faith and something for which we can all be most grateful. I hope that both men will enjoy many more years of priestly ministry, at their own pace and in good health.”

Fr. Maloney, who marks 30 years of priestly ministry this year, served as Curate in Collooney and in Kilmovee and has been Administrator of Attymas since 2017. He chairs the board of the Fr. Peyton Memorial Centre and is also joint-director of the Achonry-Elphin Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

It has also been announced that Fr. Steve Gibson (Congregation of the Holy Cross), who is the Director Emeritus of the Fr. Peyton Memorial Centre, will be moving to Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, in the USA. Fr. Steve has been a great friend of the diocese and has worked closely with the diocesan clergy of Achonry for many years.

A time of change is always challenging, both for the priest and for the parishioners, said Bishop Kevin: “I am very grateful to all four men for the generosity with which they have accepted the changes and I wish them every blessing in the years ahead.”