A battle by the people of a remote parish in west Clare to retain its campaigning parish priest has succeeded after a U-turn by the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh.
Last month, Bishop Walsh told the parishioners of the Kilbaha-Cross parish, which covers the Loop Head peninsula, that their parish priest, Father Pat O'Neill, was leaving to take up another appointment. Father O'Neill has been to the forefront in highlighting the continuing depopulation which afflicts the Loop Head peninsula.
Bishop Walsh said Father O'Neill would be replaced by a temporary administrator, sparking fears amongst the parishioners that they would become the diocese's next "priest-less parish". Already this summer, Bishop Walsh has created a further two parishes without a full-time resident priest due to the shortage of curates.
Parishioners mounted a petition with signatures from 95 per cent of houses in the peninsula, according to parish council member Mr Flan Keane who was part of a delegation which asked Bishop Walsh to allow Father O'Neill remain.
Mr Keane said: "Father Pat is an outstanding priest and is involved in activities across the community. We did not want to lose him."
In response, Bishop Walsh yesterday told parishioners in a statement that "with a great deal of hesitation", he decided to extend Father O'Neill's appointment for the time being.
He said: "This is the first time I have changed an appointment already made and I worry lest such special appeals might become frequent." Bishop Walsh said he has not decided how long Father O'Neill will remain.
Father O'Neill - who has been parish priest for the past seven years - was due to become the new parish priest of the nearby Kildysart parish where the Bishop held a public meeting to discuss the issue.
Yesterday, Kildysart parishioner Ms Teresa Mulhern said: "The Bishop should have stuck to his guns because he has now set a precedent for any parish that isn't happy with new appointments. But we are very happy with the new parish priest Bishop Walsh has appointed in Father O'Neill's place."
The director of the Kilbaha-based Rural Resettlement Ireland, Mr Jim Connolly, yesterday welcomed the Bishop's move. "Along with everyone else in the parish I signed the petition for Father Pat to remain. He has been very outspoken and fearless in highlighting the issue of depopulation in the Loop Head peninsula."