I am delighted to announce today that Pope Francis has honoured Fr John McEvoy, Parish Priest of Rathvilly and Vice President of Carlow College St Patricks, appointing him as a “Chaplain to His Holiness” with the title of Monsignor. This is a very joyful occasion for the Diocese, for Carlow College St Patricks and for Msgr. John and his family.

It is a public recognition of his longstanding contribution to Carlow College St Patricks, his priestly ministry and his many commitments at diocesan level.  In honouring Msgr. John I see this as honouring all priests and people of the parishes of Kildare & Leighlin for their continued service to the church and the building up of Gods Kingdom.

Msgr. John is a native of Ballyroan, Co Laois and was ordained on the 27^th of June 1976. He is currently Parish Priest of Rathvilly , Vice President of Carlow College, St. Patricks and Team Leader supporting the Permanent Diaconate. Previous parish appointments were in Tinryland and Paulstown parishes.

My congratulations go to Msgr. John on behalf of all of us on this great day.

+Denis

The title “Monsignor” is an honorific form of address granted by the Pope, upon recommendation by his Bishop, to a diocesan priest who has rendered valuable service to the local church or who has provided a specific and specialised function in church governance. Because the title of monsignor historically designated a priest who served in the papal curia, all nominated Monsignors are officially considered part of the papal household, whether they serve in the Vatican or elsewhere. In scaling back honorific positions within the Catholic Church in 2014 Pope Francis retained the category of “Chaplain to His Holiness” for any and all new nominated recipients. In keeping with Pope Francis’ reforms a “Chaplain to His Holiness” is only granted to a diocesan priest who is over 65 years of age.