Catholic Dean to retire next year

Sunday 23 December 2018

Guernsey's popular Catholic Dean will be retiring in 2019, after 12 years serving the people of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Canon Michael Hore has been based in Guernsey since 2006 and although he has predominantly lived at the Priests' residence at St Joseph's Church, he has also spent time in Alderney and Sark.

He will in fact be spending his last few months in the Bailiwick in Alderney, where he will be moving to in January, until he retires in the summer.

The news was announced to parishioners during each mass in the island's Catholic Churches last weekend, with a letter from the Bishop being read out.

Bishop Philip Egan wrote to them on Gaudete Sunday, which is the midway point during Advent as the Church and parishioners prepare for the celebration of Christmas. As well as informing everyone of Canon Michael's impending retirement, he had news of other changes within the local clergy.

"With this message I wish to announce some changes to the clergy of the parish from the New Year and the happy news that I am appointing an additional priest to serve in your parish," wrote Bishop Philip.

"This will enable Canon Michael Hore to move to Alderney to take up residence there. He will remain the Parish Priest and Dean of Guernsey until the summer, when I plan to appoint his successor.

"His move to Alderney, where he will remain, provides an opportunity for Canon Michael to prepare for retirement from full- time ministry, while continuing his pastoral work in a less demanding context. I would like to thank Canon Michael for all his work and support during his time at Our Lady and the Saints of Guernsey and, until next summer, please keep him in your prayers as he enters this new stage.

"Transition is a challenge as much for priests as for parishioners and Canon Michael’s move, while remaining parish priest, provides a gradual way of dealing with the change involved."

Pictured: Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church at Delancey. 

Alongside Canon Michael's move and subsequent retirement, there will be the arrival of a new Priest to the island during 2019, with Father Budyn due to come over to support the island's two other Priests and Deacon. Father Paul Dzwig is also to be promoted to a new role of Senior Priest in the island's Catholic Church.  

Bishop Philip wrote; "I am grateful to Fr. Paul Dzwig, Fr. Michal Turbaczewski and Deacon Mark Leightley for their support of Canon Michael, and also for all the help given by Canon Hetherington. While Canon Michael resides in Alderney, Fr. Paul will become the senior priest at Our Lady and the Saints of Guernsey. In order to provide some additional help until the summer, I have asked Fr. Budyn, who has been working until recently in Southampton, to join the team on Guernsey."