Stop the Relocation of Fr Liam McMahon, parish priest of St. Michael’s RC church, Parkhead, Glasgow - and an end to all other unnecessary priest transfers.

We, the devoted parishioners of St. Michael’s RC Church in Parkhead, urgently demand the immediate halt of Father Liam McMahon’s relocation and an end to all other unnecessary priest transfers.
Father Liam is not merely our parish priest; he is the heart and soul of our community, our shepherd, and a spiritual father to us all. To remove him from our parish is to tear apart the very fabric of our spiritual family. Just as one would never tear a father from his children, we cannot allow Father Liam to be taken from us. His extraordinary leadership, profound compassion, and unwavering dedication have deeply enriched our lives and strengthened our parish.

Put down your staff, Archbishop Nolan, walk with your people, as the Synod represents. Stop living in your ivory tower making decisions without understanding the reality on the ground. Many priests, like Father Liam, are on the front line, doing the real work that God intended. A priest belongs to God, not the hierarchy. The ‘strap line’ of the Archdiocese of Glasgow states, “Lord, let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Your Word and the praising of Your Name”.

Have you considered the profound impact these relocations have on the lives of the priests themselves and their mental wellbeing? Your decisions are not only disrupting our community but also causing real suffering for those you should be supporting. As a young Catholic, I implore you to rethink your decisions. You may not realise the deep and damaging effect these changes have on both the faithful and the priests.

The Catholic Church should be fostering community and encouraging parishioners to come together, not pushing them further away through disruptive and unnecessary relocations. The removal of beloved priests like Father Liam only serves to alienate and dishearten the faithful. We implore the Church authorities to recognise the irreplaceable bond we share with Father Liam and to allow him to continue his sacred vocation at St. Michael’s. Our faith, unity, and spiritual wellbeing depend on it.

I can only pray for you at this time to see sense and allow God to be with you to make the right decision.