April 27, 2024
Appointments for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
Most Reverend Brian Joseph Dunn, Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth, announces the following appointments, which will be effective on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, unless otherwise stated:
Priest Appointments
Rev. Mathieu Agbaya, Assistant Priest at Paroisse Notre-Dame de l’Assomption will conclude his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese and will return to his diocese in Benin.
Rev. Gregory Agyeman, Moderator of Pastoral Care for All Saints Parish, according to canon 517, §2, shall retire from active ministry.
Rev. Al Ray Compuesto, Assistant Priest of Stella Maris Parish, will become the Assistant Priest of Divine Mercy, Dartmouth.
Rev. Patrick Cosgrove, retired priest, shall provide pastoral ministry for Holy Apostles Parish.
Rev. Alain Dosseh from Nigeria, shall become the Assistant Priest at the Cathedral of St. Mary’s, when he comes to the Archdiocese.
Rev. Edwin Ewuzie, from Nigeria, shall become the Assistant Priest for Holy Apostles Parish.
Rev. Peter Hanna, FoH, Assistant Priest of Divine Mercy, Dartmouth, shall become the Assistant Priest of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Halifax.
Rev. Graham Keep, from the Diocese of London, will begin an pastoral internship for the Companions of the Cross and will serve in Saint Benedict Parish from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025.
Rev. Robert Nicholas, Assistant Priest of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Halifax, will become Pastor of Saint John of the Cross, Eastern Shore. He will also begin a five year appointment as the Spiritual Advisor for the Halifax-Yarmouth Diocesan Catholic Women’s League.
Rev. Marcellus Obasi, Assistant Priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral shall become Assistant Priest of Corpus Christi Parish, effective April 5, 2024.
Rev. Raymond Odumuko, Assistant Priest for Corpus Christi, has completed his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese, effective April 1, 2024.
Rev. Vincent Onyekelu, Pastor of Saint John of the Cross, shall become Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, Dartmouth.
Rev. Francesco Pirisi, FoH, will continue his leave of absence for another year for the purpose of pursuing further studies in Rome.
Rev. Charles Pottie, SJ, who has established a ministry of Spiritual Renewal in the Archdiocese shall complete his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese and will be appointed to a new ministry by the Jesuit Provincial.
Rev. Earl Smith, SJ, currently Moderator of Pastoral Care at Holy Apostles Parish, shall complete his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese and will be appointed to a new ministry by the Jesuit Provincial.
Rev. Anthony Aguka from Nigeria shall become the Assistant Priest for All Saints Parish, Cumberland County.
Rev. Charles Udeh, SMMM, currently serving in the Diocese of Saint John, NB, shall become the Administrator for All Saints Parish, Cumberland County.
Rev. Vargheese Puthuparampil Varghese, IMS, Administrator of Divine Mercy Parish, shall complete his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese and shall return to his institute in India.
Deacon Appointments
Rev. Mr. Len Moore, currently providing ministry at St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi Parish, will retire from active diaconal ministry, effective immediately.
Rev. Mr. Brian Smith shall take a leave of absence from diaconal ministry as he moves to Prince Edward Island, effective immediately.
Rev. Mr. David Viscount, currently providing ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dartmouth, will take a leave of absence from October 2024 to August 2025 for personal reasons.
Decrees of Our New Parishes
You can find a list of
Decrees of Our New Parishes
under the "Parishes" tab and click on "Our New Parishes"
or click here.
Archdiocesan Crest
Chancery Contact
Deacon Robert Doyle
Chancellor
(902) 429-9800 ext. 307
Archdiocesan Funeral Guidelines
Archbishop Mancini in collaboration with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our Church of 
Halifax-Yarmouth prepared the document on Catholic funerals in the Archdiocese of Halifax Yarmouth. The document is titled "Catholic Funerals: Theological and Pastoral Considerations".
The document touches on the frequent experience in our faith communities that funerals draw people with diverse connections to the Catholic faith or faith in general. Liturgical options, specifically the separation of the Funeral Rite (Order of Christian Funerals) and the celebration of the Eucharist, can facilitate a fuller involvement of mourners at Catholic funerals. As well new opportunities are presented to evangelize and catechized a Christian understanding of life, death and resurrection. For the faithful the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist at a memorial Mass within a short time of the funeral liturgy can be much more meaningful experience of communion.
This guidelines addresses issues like eulogies, use of Christian symbols at funerals, cremation, and the celebration of the funeral rite at funeral parlors as well as other points to assist parish personnel in the ministry to those who are grieving.
download: English (pdf) French (pdf)
