No last minute reprieve as popular Roscommon priest set to leave parish

A popular priest who has served as curate in the Drum/Clonown area of South Roscommon for the last seven years will now return to his religious order, despite intense local opposition to the decision made by Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran.

Fr. Michael Hickey, aged in his eighties, became a much loved figure in the community over this time.

A farewell party planned for Fr. Hickey due to be held on Sunday last at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel had been postponed in a last ditch bid to get the Bishop to change his mind. However, it is understood that the priest has now made the decision to return to his order, the Holy Ghost Fathers in Dublin, and will depart the parish on Monday.

The farewell party for Fr Hickey will now take place at the hotel this Sunday evening, September 1.

A community campaign led by a local committee to keep the much-loved priest intensified in recent weeks with 2,300 people signing a petition opposing the move by Bishop Doran. The Bishop had formally announced the priest's return to his order in a letter to parishioners in July as part of a number of clerical changes.

The petition was personally handed into the Diocesan office in Sligo several weeks ago along with a letter seeking a meeting with Bishop Doran to ask him to reconsider his decision.

It’s also understood that the Bishop celebrated Saturday evening Mass and Sunday morning Mass in Drum Church on the weekend of August 3rd and 4th. During the Bishop’s visit to Drum, committee members were unsuccessful in asking the Bishop to change his mind after they met him after both Masses.

A spokesperson for the Elphin Diocese confirmed to the Herald recently that Fr. Hickey would be returning to his own religious order.

Hundreds of people attended recent public meetings in Drum Parish Hall voicing their shock, sadness and anger at Bishop Doran’s decision.