Fr. Hoban to retire as Parish Priest

FR. Brendan Hoban is set to retire at the end of this month as parish priest of Moygownagh.

He will say his final Mass as P.P. in St. Cormac's Church on Sunday, July 29.

An outspoken writer on matters affecting the church in Ireland, Fr. Hoban was a founder member of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP).

Over the years he has consistently highlighted the decline in vocations in every diocese and the fact that congregations in general are diminishing.

In a recent article, Fr. Hoban pointed out that Killala now has just one diocesan priest over 40 and in 20 years time might have only one priest under the age of 60.

At the moment there is no indication that Fr. Hoban will be replaced as parish priest in Moygownagh because of the increasingly critical diocesan manpower situation.

If Fr. Hoban isn't replaced, Moygownagh will become the first parish in Killala diocese to lose its full time P.P.

It is understood that Fr. Hoban will continue to have a role in the Association of Catholic Priests.

For many decades, he has co-presented the 'Family Matters' programme on Midwest Radio. He is expected to continue in that position.