Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bishop of Antigonish, announces the following appointments for the Diocese of Antigonish, which will become effective as specified:
Rev. James W. Oliver, Pastor of Holy Family, Sydney Mines, will retire from pastoral ministry effective September 1, 2020.
Rev. Fabian Ihunegbo, formerly from the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth and of the Diocese of Abakaliki, Nigeria, will become Administrator of Holy Family, Sydney Mines effective September 1, 2020.
(See more on Father Fabian below)
Rev. Raymond G. Huntley, Pastor of St. Leonard, New Waterford, will retire from pastoral ministry effective October 1, 2020.
Rev. Peter McLeod, Pastor of St. Joseph, Little Bras d’Or; St. Anne, Alder Point; St. Joachim, Boularderie will become Pastor of St. Leonard, New Waterford, effective October 1, 2020.
Rev. Michel Exalant, Administrator of Our Lady of Assumption, Arichat and St. Joseph, Petit de Grat, will become Administrator, St. Joseph, Little Bras d’Or; St. Anne, Alder Point;
St. Joachim, Boularderie effective October 1, 2020.
Rev. Mr. Henry A. Van de Wiel, formerly Deacon at StFX Chapel and Associate Chaplain at StFX, will become Deacon at St. Ninian’s Cathedral effective September 1, 2020.
Rev. J. Cosmas Epifano will continue his ministry as Chaplain to the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Grace Monastery.
Father Fabian Ihunegbo is new to our diocese.
He was was ordained a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Abakaliki in Nigeria on July 5, 2003. After 7 years of pastoral ministry, he came to Canada to pursue graduate studies in theology in 2011. He graduated in December 2014 with a Masters Degree in Theology (Pastoral) from University of St Michaels College in the University of Toronto and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Regis College, Toronto. Father Fabian served in four parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto. He moved to the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth in 2015 where he has served in three parishes there.
Mary Beth LeBlanc - August 13, 2020
I would like to extend my congratulations to Ray Huntley on his retirement. We went to university together. He is a wonderful person. I was honoured to attend his ordination and can’t believe this young man is retiring! All the best!!!
marguerite mcconnell - August 14, 2020
Who will be appointed to Arichat and Petit De Gras?
Jennifer Hatt - August 18, 2020
The Bishop has not yet made an announcement for the parishes in Isle Madame.
We will post an update as soon as the announcement is made.
George Mullins - August 14, 2020
I would like to congratulate all the Parish Priests and Deacon on their new appointments this year. And special congratulations to Father Oliver on his retirement. I was very surprised to see Father Peter move from Little Bras D’or. I didn’t expect that change in Cape Breton. And I was quite surprised at the minimal number of changes for 2020-2021.
Mary McKenzie - August 15, 2020
I hate the thoughts of Father Ray Huntley retiring. He deserves a rest but oh my how we will miss him.