Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

St. Paul Diocese announces pastoral appointments

Following are the pastoral appointments for the St. Paul Diocese, effective June 28, unless otherwise indicated:

Father Paul Moses Chakkalackal, a Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, rector of St. Paul's

Cathedral, at the request of his community will return to Madagascar to pursue missionary work there.

Father Vitus Ikeme, a Son of Mary Mother of Mercy, presently pastor in Plamondon, Atmore and Breynat, is appointed rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul.

Father Polycarp Chukwu, a Son of Mary Mother of Mercy, presently assistant in Bonnyville, is appointed pastor St. Isidore in Plamondon, St. Philippe in Atmore and St. Teresa in the Child Jesus in Breynat.

Father Damian Nwachukwu, a Son of Mary Mother of Mercy, presently pastor in Smoky Lake, Vilna, Goodfish Lake and Kikino, is appointed pastor of the new pastoral unit of Our Lady of Atonement in Smoky Lake, St. Patrick in Clyde, St. Anne in Thorhild and St. Joseph in Radway.

Father Jose Chirappanath, a Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, presently pastor in Clyde, Thorhild and Radway, is appointed assistant to Fort McMurray.

Father Dario Abram, pastor in Westlock, Jarvie, Dapp and Pickardville is appointed administrator of St-Jean-de-Brébeuf in Mallaig, St. Helen in St. Lina and St. Vincent in St. Vincent.

Father Sabinus Iwu, a Son of Mary Mother of Mercy, presently pastor in Lac La Biche, Venice and Beaver Lake, is appointed pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption in Westlock, Christ the King in Jarvie, St. Finnan in Dapp and St. Benoît in Pickardville.

Father Peter Tran, chancellor, is appointed pastor of St. Matthias in Goodfish Lake, without prejudice to his present duties.

Father Casmir Muobike, a Son of Mary Mother of Mercy, presently administrator in Mallaig, St. Lina and St. Vincent is appointed pastor of St. Catherine's in Lac La Biche, St. Anne's in Venice, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Beaver Lake and also Immaculate Heart of Mary in Kikino which is now part of this new pastoral unit.

Father Gérard Gauthier, vicar general, is appointed vocation director for the Diocese of St. Paul without prejudice to his present duties. This was effective April 21.

Deacon Marcel Lizotte, deacon, has been promoted superintendent of the French school board of the Diocese of Grouard-Maclenan. This was effective May 1. He was relieved of his services as deacon in St. Louis Parish in Bonnyville as of that date.

Deacon Anthony Organ, who served as deacon in the communities of Fort Kent, Elk Point and mostly Fishing Lake, will move to the Archdiocese of Edmonton and will no longer serve the Diocese of St. Paul.

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