Leadership changes at Cape Breton churches

SYDNEY — A changing of the guard will occur throughout the Diocese of Antigonish as several new priests will take over Roman Catholic parishes this summer.

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick announced the retirement of deacon Greg Muphy at Holy Family Parish in Sydney Mines, in a news release on June 22, along with several other changes.

In Antigonish, Rev. Daniel MacLennan will become the rector of St. Ninian's Cathedral and Rev. Donald MacGillivray will become chaplain at St. Francis Xavier University.

In other changes, Rev. Daniel J. MacDonald will become pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mabou and Rev. Macdonald Ibeh will take over at Our Lady of Lourdes in Stellarton.

Additionally, Rev. Barret Clare-Johnson will become pastor of Stella Maris in

Creignish effective Aug. 4.

Rev. Joby Austin will become the local superior and pastor at St. Michael's, East Margaree, St. Patrick's, North East Margaree and St. Joseph's, South West Margaree along with Stella Maris, Inverness and St. Margaret of Scotland on Broad Cove Road. Rev. Silvichan Dominic and Rev. Daniel Tshimbalanga Musakay will join Austin as associate pastors.

All appointments will come into effect on Aug. 4.

Rev. Godwin Obike and Rev. Chononso Francis Alaribe, will become administrators at St. Joseph, Little Bras d'Or, St. Anne, Alder Point and St. Joachim, Boularderie, effective July 2.

Rev. Christian Emeka Ugwu will be transferring from Nigeria and will arrive in the near future.

Rev. Michel Exalant will serve at the direction of Holy Cross superior, effective

July 2, while Rev. J. Cosmas Epifano will return to St. Peter's Abbey in Muenster, Sask.

David Rankin will undergo his pastoral internship year at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Glasgow with Fr. Thomas MacNeil beginning in September. A new seminarian, Joseph MacMaster, will enter St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto in September.

(Atlantic Briefs Desk)