Each year at about this time the Bishop announces clergy moves to take effect at the beginning of September. This year there are several retirements: Mgr Chris Brroks (Colchester); Canon Peter Connor (Ingatestone); Fr Gerry Drummond (Rochford). In addition a couple of priests are away from parish duties for health reasons: Fr Emile Nkumu (Ongar); Fr Joseph Soosai Marian, SCA (Becontree).
Appointments as Parish Priests: Fr Britto Belevendran (Wickford to Upton Park); Fr Rick Fernandez (Lexden to Becontree); Fr Matthias Baidoo (S. Woodham Ferrers & Danbury to Lexden); Fr Angelus Houle (Upton Park to S. Woodham Ferrers & Danbury); Fr Philip Okoli (remains at Colchester as PP); Fr Damien Wade (Chelmsford to Wickford). Parochial Administrators/Priest-in-charge: Fr Frank Westcott (Ongar); Fr Gary Dench (Ingatestone, remaining as PP Hutton); Fr Cherian John (Syro-Malankara Rite to Hornchurch, English Martyrs). Assistant Priests: Fr Michael Barwick (OL & St George, Walthamstow to Chelmsford); Fr Jude Kurumeh, CSSp (Rome to St Mary, Hornchurch); Fr Ebeneezer Annobil (Cape Coast, Ghana to Colchester); Fr Shajin Jose Anthony (Trivandrum to Walthamstow); Fr Alfonso Heredia, RCJ (Italy to Westcliff & Rochford). The last four are new to the Diocese and subject to confirmation, dependant on visas and other permissions. We wish them well and pray for them and their parishes.
