Effective from Sunday 6th September 2026, the following changes have been announced by Bishop Frank:

St Andrew’s Deanery

• Fr Ben Lodge, CP, currently Parish Priest of St Joseph’s, Stranraer, is to leave the Diocese to return to his order.
• Fr William McFadden, currently Parish Priest of Parish Priest of St Peter’s, Dalbeattie, St Andrew’s and St Cuthbert’s, Kirkcudbright, Our Lady and St Ninian’s, Newton Stewart, and St Martin and St Ninian’s, Whithorn (with The Sacred Heart, Wigtown) also becomes Parish Priest of St Joseph’s, Stranraer.

St Joseph’s Deanery (East Ayrshire)
These changes will last for a period of six months to allow for a time of consultation, prayer and discernment to find a long-term solution.

• Fr Philip Kitchen, has retired as Parish Priest of St John’s, Cumnock, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Patrick’s, Auchinleck, and St Thomas the Apostle, Muirkirk.
• Fr Erasmus Egenonu, CSSp, currently Parish Priest of St Sophia’s, Galston and St Paul’s, Hurlford has been appointed as Parish Administrator of St John’s, Cumnock, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Patrick’s, Auchinleck, and St Thomas the Apostle, Muirkirk.
• Fr Stephen McGrattan, currently Parish Priest of St Joseph’s, Kilmarnock, St Matthew’s, Kilmarnock and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kilmarnock also becomes Parish Administrator of St Sophia’s, Galston and St Paul’s, Hurlford.
• Fr Kevin Rennie, currently Assistant Priest of St Joseph’s, Kilmarnock, St Matthew’s, Kilmarnock and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kilmarnock will also provide pastoral support to St Sophia’s, Galston and St Paul’s, Hurlford.

Bishop Frank thanks Frs Ben and Philip for their years of ministry, and all of the clergy involved for their generosity in accepting these new responsibilities.

For more details of the changes in St Joseph’s Deanery (East Ayrshire) please see the accompanying message to the Deanery below.