The
Very Rev Dermot McCaughan, formerly Parish
Priest of Hannaghstown, has
been appointed the new Parish Priest of
Lisburn. Fr McCaughan replaces the Very Rev Hugh Kennedy, PP.,
who has been Parish Priest of Lisburn for just 12 months, and
who was recently appointed Administrator of St. Peter�s
Cathedral in Belfast�s Albert Street.
Originally from Ballymena, Fr Dermot was
educated at St MacNissi�s College, Garron Tower, in the Glens of
Antrim (1960-1967). He then attended Maynooth College, Co
Kildare, graduating in French in 1970 and Theology in 1973.
Following his Ordination in Holy Family Church, Antrim Road,
Belfast, in June 1974, he assisted at Holy Rosary and St
Bernadette�s, Belfast (1974-1978). He was Chaplain to the City
Hospital and Nazareth Lodge, Belfast (1978-1982); Somerton Road,
Belfast (1982-1983); St Mary�s, Greencastle on the Shore Road
(1983-1988); St Anne�s, Dunmurry (1988-1994). In August 1994,
he was appointed Parish Priest at
Hannaghstown with pastoral oversight of
St Joseph�s Church,
Hannaghstown and St. Peter�s Church (The Rock)
Stoneyford. His Lisburn Parish area consists of four churches:
St. Patrick�s - Lisburn, St Colman�s - Reilly�s Trench, St.
Joseph�s - Magheragall and Blessed Virgin Mary & St Brigid�s -
Magheramesk. He will be assisted by the Rev Eamon Magorrian -
Catholic Curate and the Rev Edward McGee - Assistant Priest.
Fr McCaughan took his first Mass at St
Patrick�s Church, Lisburn, last Saturday evening (19th
August). Since his arrival in Lisburn last week he says that he
has found the people to be �genuinely very welcoming� and
stressed that it was his intention to, �build on the great work
carried out by his predecessor Father Hugh Kennedy in the field
of inter-church relations.�