Some local priests will be on the move after Prince George bishop Stephen Jensen announced some new assignments.
Jensen, who was ordained and installed in April, recently announced seven new assignments.
Father Thomas Shymko will be leaving Immaculate Conception in Prince George for a new post as pastor at Immaculate in Burns Lake. He'll be replaced by Fr. Christopher Lynch who is returning to the diocese after a spell as chaplain at Vancouver College high school.
Fr. Piotr Dudek will become the pastor at St. Mary's in Prince George transitioning from his current role as co-adjutor pastor at the church.
Two newly ordained priests also have new assignments. Fr. Rene Antonio will be the administrator at St. Peter's parish in Mackenzie but will also retain some duties at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Prince George, while Fr. Alvin Matias has been named administrator at Our Lady of Peace in Chetwynd.
Fr. Venerando Sabacan, currently the pastor in Chetwynd, will be moving to Fort St. John as pastor at Church of the Resurrection.
Fr. Louis Kwena will return from a sabbatical leave to become the pastor at Notre Dame parish in Dawson Creek.
Meanwhile, three priests from Nigeria who had been serving at parishes in the region - Fr. Michael Anyasoro (Dawson Creek), Udoka Christopher Nwosu (Fort St. John) and Albanus Ogowuihe (Burns Lake) - are returning home.
All the new assignments are effective on Aug. 1.
