Bishop Richard J. Malone, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Portland, has announced the following priest assignments and retirements:

• RETIREMENTS

EFFECTIVE MAY 1

David Cote, most recently the parochial vicar of St. Peter Chanel Parish in Van Buren and Notre Dame du Mont Carmel in Madawaska, has retired from full-time ministry after 45 years.

Philip Cyr, who most recently served as pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in St. Agatha, has retired after 44 years of ministry. He had served at 10 parishes in the Diocese of Portland.

• ASSIGNMENTS

EFFECTIVE JUNE 1

Robert Lariviere has been appointed pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Auburn after a year of specialized ministry in Kansas.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1

Innocent Okozi, SMA (Society of African Missions), currently parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville, has been appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Bridgton and Blessed Teresa Calcutta Parish in Norway. Fr. Okozi will start at St. Joseph Parish on July 1, and Blessed Teresa Calcutta Parish on Aug. 1.

EFFECTIVE AUG. 1

Paul Marquis, hospital chaplain at Maine Medical Center in Portland and parochial vicar in the Portland peninsula and island parishes, has been appointed parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville and assigned as hospital chaplain at Maine General Hospital in Augusta.

Richard McLaughlin, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Auburn and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Norway, has been appointed hospital chaplain at Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital in Portland, and parochial vicar in the Portland peninsula and island parishes.

Daniel Baillargeon, parochial vicar of Good Shepherd Parish in Saco, has been appointed parochial vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor.

Seamus Griesbach, parochial vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor, has been appointed parochial vicar of St. Michael Parish in Augusta.

Jack Dickinson, parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville, has been appointed parochial vicar of Good Shepherd Parish in Saco.

Samuel Madza, SMA (Society of African Missions), has been appointed parochial vicar of St. Michael Parish in Augusta effective immediately and until Aug. 1, when he will serve as parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Bridgton and Blessed Teresa Calcutta Parish in Norway.