Fr Denis Gallagher was formally welcomed, or incardinated, into the Diocese of East Anglia by Bishop Alan Hopes at a Mass at St Thomas of Canterbury in Wymondham on Sunday December 6.
It was witnessed by a socially-distanced congregation of around 50 people, plus an online audience on the church’s brand new video and live-streaming service.
He made a profession of faith and took an oath of loyalty and an oath of obedience to Bishop Alan and his successors.
“I am delighted that Fr Denis has decided to join us in East Anglia,” said Bishop Alan, “and I know that he has endeared himself to your hearts in Wymondham. I know he will also do so when he moves on in the future to a different parish.”
Fr Denis has spent the last year in the diocese in Wymondham alongside Parish Priest Canon Pat Cleary. He now becomes assistant priest in the parish.
Fr Pat said: “I’m very pleased that Fr Denis has been incardinated into the Diocese of East Anglia and I look forward to continue ministering with him here in the parish of Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury Wymondham.
Fr Denis comes from Achill in County Mayo and was ordained in 1993 and moves from the Irish Archdiocese of Tuam.
He said: “I am very happy to be here in East Anglia and am most grateful to Bishop Alan, Fr Pat and to the parishioners in Wymondham for their welcome and the kindness and support they have shown me.”
To change dioceses, canon law requires diocesan priests to get permission to transfer from the bishop at the diocese he’s moving to. This is known as incardination.
Pictured above are, from the left, Fr Pat Cleary, Fr Denis Gallagher and Bishop Alan Hopes.
Click here or see below for a picture gallery of the Incardination Mass.
Courtesy of the Diocese of East Anglia web site