Bishop Smith has appointed Fr Joseph Naikarakudy to serve as a curate in Mullingar parish, beginning on Sunday 9 September. It is the first time in living memory that a foreign born missionary has received a permanent appointment at the Cathedral.
A native of India, Fr Joseph is a member of the Camillian Order that is well known in the Diocese of Meath because of its good work with the infirm and elderly at Killucan.
Fr Joseph was ordained a priest in 1994. Since then, he has undertaken further studies in India and Rome, where he gained a doctorate in pastoral healthcare in 2005. While in India, he administered a large medical centre for the care of patients with HIV and AIDS.
Welcoming Fr Joseph to the Cathedral, Bishop Smith said:
“We have a long friendship with the Camillians are I am grateful to Fr Joseph for coming to Mullingar. He has wide pastoral experience which will serve him well here, especially in the local hospital chaplaincy which is an important part of the parish work.”
