Committees / Consultative Bodies

The Council of Priests advises the Bishop in the governance of the diocese. It reflects on pastoral needs, proposes initiatives, and supports the Bishop in promoting the mission of the Church across parishes.

Bishop Michael Duignan (President)
Msgr Cathal Geraghty PP, Vicar General
Very Rev Michael Byrnes PP, JV, Chancellor
Very Rev Iomar Daniels PP, VF, EV
Very Rev Ciarán Kitching PP
Very Rev John Garvey PP
Very Rev Kieran O’Rourke PP, VF
Very Rev Raymond Sweeney PP, VF
Very Rev Niall Foley PP
Very Rev Benny Flanagan PE
Very Rev Christopher Clarke OCD

The Finance Committee assists the Bishop in managing the temporal goods of the diocese. It oversees financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship to ensure transparency and responsible use of resources.

Most Rev Michael Duignan SThD
Rt Rev Msgr Cathal Geraghty PP
Very Rev Martin McNamara PP
Mr Gerard McInerney
Mr Terry Doyle
Mr Patrick Mc Donagh
Mr Sean O Dwyer
Mrs Nancy O Gorman
Ms Marcella Fallon

The Council of Priests advises the Bishop in the governance of the diocese. It reflects on pastoral needs, proposes initiatives, and supports the Bishop in promoting the mission of the Church across parishes.

Council Members:

Galway City Deaneries: Msgr Peter Rabbitte VG and Rev. Declan Lohan
Galway Rural Deanery: Very Rev. Diarmuid Hogan
Kilmacduagh Deanery: Very Rev. Dr Hugh Clifford
Kilfenora Deanery: Very Rev. Robert McNamara
Special Ministries: Rev. John O’Halloran
Retired Clergy: Very Rev. Francis Larkin
Clergy ordained 1978 & earlier: Very Rev. Canon Tadhg Quinn
Clergy ordained 1979–1996: Very Rev. Dean Michael McLoughlin
Clergy ordained 1997–2022: Rev. John Gerard Acton
Religious Orders / Congregations / Personal Prelature: Rev. Kieran McCarthy MSC
Ex officio member: Very Rev. Canon Ian O’Neill VG

The Finance Committee assists the Bishop in managing the temporal goods of the diocese. It oversees financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship to ensure transparency and responsible use of resources.

Committee Members:

Bishop Michael Duignan
Right Rev. Msgr Peter Rabbitte VG
Very Rev. Dean Michael McLoughlin
Rev. Fr John Gerard Acton
Mr Tom Hansberry
Mr Enda McGowan

The current Chapter members are:

Very Rev. Monsignor Peter Rabbitte, VG
Very Rev. Ian Canon O’Neill, VG
Very Rev. Martin Canon Glynn, VF
Very Rev. Thomas Canon Marrinan, VF
Very Rev. Michael Dean McLoughlin
Very Rev. Tadhg Canon Quinn.

Secretary to the Chapter: Rev. John Gerard Acton.

The Synodal Committee promotes a culture of listening, participation, and shared discernment within the diocese. It coordinates synodal initiatives and encourages consultation at parish and diocesan levels.

Committee Members:

Most Rev. Michael Duignan
Sr Alacoque Gleeson
Fr Gerard McCarthy
Ms Vanessa Butler
Ms Ruth Conroy
Ms Eilish Glynn
Ms Mary Harney
Ms Louise Rooney
Ms Sinead Watson
Mr John Coughlan
Mr Justin Tuohy

The Safeguarding Committee ensures that diocesan policies and practices protect children and vulnerable persons. It supports training, compliance, and review to maintain a safe environment in all Church settings.

The Interdiocesan Safeguarding Committee will convene in January 2026.

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Committee supports parishes in welcoming and preparing adults for initiation into the Catholic Church. It provides formation, resources, and coordination for catechumens and their sponsors.

RCIA Committee Members:

Most Rev. Bishop Michael Duignan
Rev. Fr John Gerard Acton
Very Rev. Dr Hugh Clifford
Very Rev. Barry Horan
Very Rev. Vivian Loughrey
Rev. Fr Gerard McCarthy SVD
Very Rev. Martin Whelan

The Board of Directors oversees the vision, governance, and development of An Ghailíl, the diocesan centre for formation. It ensures that programmes in theology, ministry, and faith development serve the pastoral mission of the diocese.

The Board of Directors will convene in January 2026.