Bishop Fintan Gavin announces new appointments of priests and a deacon in the diocese.
The diocese has published the details of the new appointments which will be effective on July 25th 2026.
Bishop Fintan has said that he is grateful to the priests who are undertaking new appointments this year and to those who retire from a fulltime appointment.
"I continue to be grateful to all of you for your ministry and your commitment to serve the people of the diocese.
I also extend a warm welcome to the priests who are coming from abroad to minister in our diocese. We are deeply appreciative of their generosity in responding to the needs of our local Church here in Cork and Ross and we look forward to the gifts, experience and richness they will bring to our faith communities."
Retirement
Fr Pat Nugent CC in the Family of Parishes of Carrig na bhFear, Glanmire, Glounthane, Watergrasshill and Glenville retires from this full-time appointment, though his priestly ministry will continue.
Appointments:
Bishop Fintan Gavin
Canon Robert Brophy, Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart and Wilton will continue in this role as Co-PP and Moderator while also fulfilling the role of Assistant Director of Vocations for the Diocese.
Canon Teddy O’Sullivan Co-PP and Moderator in the Family of Parishes of Douglas and Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange and Turner’s Cross continues to be Co-PP in the same Family of Parishes.
Canon John Paul Hegarty Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ballyphehane, The Lough and Togher to be Assistant Priest (AP) in the same Family of Parishes.
Fr Patrick A. McCarthy, returning from sabbatical leave to be Co-PP and Moderator in the Family of Parishes of Douglas and Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange and Turner’s Cross.
Fr Bernard Cotter returns from Sabbatical leave as Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Aughadown, Castlehaven and Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen.
Fr Daniel Pyburn, Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ballinhassig, Clontead, Courceys and Kinsale to be Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ballyphehane, The Lough and Togher.
Fr Cian O’Sullivan Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Clogheen and Kerry Pike, Farranree, Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill and Director of Vocations for the Diocese will begin a period of sabbatical leave taking up a new appointment in the Summer of 2027.
Fr Anthony O’Mahony Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Drimoleague, Dunmanway, Kilmichael and Uibh Laoire to be Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ardfield/Rathbarry, Barryroe, Clonakilty, Kilmeen and Castleventry, Rosscarbery and Lisavaird, and Timoleague.
Fr Michael Anthony Buckley CC in the Family of Parishes of Bantry, Caheragh, Goleen, Muintir Bháire and Schull to be Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Drimoleague, Dunmanway, Kilmichael and Uibh Laoire.
Fr Sean Crowley CC in the Family of Parishes of Blackpool, The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St. Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well, and The Cathedral to be Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ballinhassig, Clontead, Courceys and Kinsale.
Fr Marius O’Reilly CC in the Family of Parishes of Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St. Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well and The Cathedral to be Director of Vocations for the Diocese and Parish Chaplain in the same Family of Parishes.
Fr Pat O’Mahony SMA CC in the Family of Parishes of Douglas and Rochestown, Frankfield and Grange and Turner’s Cross to be CC in the Family of Parishes of St. Joseph’s Mayfield, Upper Mayfield and Pastoral Care of Holy Family Church, Military Hill.
Fr Kenneth Cooney SMA to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St. Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well and The Cathedral.
Fr Jilson Kokkandathail CC in the Family of Parishes of Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St. Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well and The Cathedral and Chaplain to the Syro Malabar Community to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Bantry, Caheragh, Goleen, Muintir Bháire and Schull.
Fr Mathew Jacob (Archdiocese of Changanacherry, India) to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St. Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well and The Cathedral. Fr Mathew will also fulfil the role of Chaplain to the Syro Malabar Community.
Fr Fergus Ryan OP CC in the Family of Parishes of Ardfield and Rathbarry, Barryroe, Clonakilty, Kilmeen and Castleventry, Rosscarbery and Lisavaird, and Timoleague to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Blackpool and The Glen and Ballyvolane, South Parish, Ss Peter and Paul’s, St. Patrick’s, Sunday’s Well and The Cathedral.
Fr Prasad Rao Chinthakunta MSC (Indian Province) to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Clogheen and Kerry Pike, Farranree, Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill.
Fr Tijo John MSC (Indian Province) to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Clogheen and Kerry Pike, Farranree, Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill.
Fr Alex Kulandaisamy MSC (Indian Province) to be CC in the Family of Parishes of Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart and Wilton. Fr Alex will also serve as Part-time Chaplain (2 Days per week) to the Mercy University Hospital.
Fr Raphael Ssemmanda (Diocese of Masaka, Uganda) to be CC in the in the Family of Parishes of Douglas & Rochestown, Frankfield/Grange and Turner’s Cross.
Fr Jaison Mathew CMI, Chaplain in Cork University Hospital has returned to his order.
Paul Ryan was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on Sunday 21st June 2026 in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timoleague. Deacon Paul Ryan is appointed Deacon in the Family of Parishes of Ardfield and Rathbarry, Barryroe, Clonakilty, Kilmeen and Castleventry, Rosscarbery and Lisavaird, and Timoleague.
