Priests and Deacons visiting from abroad are always welcome in the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin. In all cases, the required documentation must be in place to ensure that best practice is followed.

If a priest or deacon is visiting the dioceses from outside Ireland to officiate at a wedding, funeral, baptism, or any other liturgical celebration, he will require a “Letter of Good Standing” from his Diocese / Order / Congregation. This needs to be forwarded to:

Diocese of Achonry
Bishop’s House, Convent Road, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon F45 H004

Diocese of Elphin
Diocesan Office, St Mary’s, Temple Street, Sligo F91 KTX2

For the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage, the priest or deacon must, in addition, be included on the register of civil solemnisers. This can be arrange by application in good time through the Diocesan Offices.

Note: If the priest or deacon is currently resident in Ireland and has an assignment in an Irish Diocese or Religious House, a current valid celebret will suffice, which should be presented to the parish where the liturgical celebration is taking place.

If the priest or deacon is remaining for a period after the wedding, funeral, baptism, or other liturgical celebration, or if he is visiting the dioceses (eg on holiday), and wishes to minister in any way, the statutory requirement is that, in addition to the “Letter of Good Standing”, he will also need to be Garda Vetted (Police Vetting). To do this, he will need to contact the Safeguarding Offices of the dioceses at the earliest opportunity to initiate the process:

Diocese of Achonry
Helen Diskin, Director of Safeguarding safeguarding@achonrydiocese.or

Diocese of Elphin
Mary Nicholson, Director of Safeguarding mary@elphindiocese.ie