THE Catholic Churches in Saltcoats and Stevenston will be continued to be served by the same priest, it was confirmed this week by the Diocese of Galloway. 

Following the imprisonment of Fr Graeme Bell, Bishop Bill Nolan said that Canon Martin Poland would continue to act as the parish administrator for St Mary's Church in Saltcoats as well as looking after his own congregation at St John's in Stevenston in a move which will see the churches linked. 

And none of the three churches in the Three Towns will be closing, despite uncertainty during the last year following the arrest and subsequent conviction of Graeme Bell, who admitted to stealing £96,000 of church funds. 

But Fr Bell will continue to be a priest in the Diocese despite resigning from his position at Our Lady, Star of the Sea, known locally as St Mary's, in June. 

Bishop Nolan said: "Fr Bell resigned from St Mary’s in June last year. He was replaced at that time by Canon Martin Poland. Since then St John’s and St Mary’s have been linked, in that they are served by the one priest. They will continue to be served by the one priest, responsible for both parishes with Canon Poland being Parish Administrator for St Mary's and will continue to be for the time being."

And Ardrossan's Canon McManus will remain in his post for the foreseeable despite reaching the age of 75. 

When a priest reaches the age of 75, they are required to tender their resignation to the Bishop and Canon Matt McManus done so but has confirmed to the Herald that he will not be leaving any time soon. He said that he will stay until the time comes to leave and that it won't be this year. 

Bishop Nolan added: "In canon law a parish priest has to offer his resignation when he reaches the age of 75. Canon McManus reached that age last year. However, I cannot comment on when he might retire. I can confirm, though, that the intention of the Diocese is to appoint a resident parish priest to St Peter’s when he does retire."