By Sean Ryan - 22 September, 2017
The Bishop of Cloyne Bishop William Crean, will ordain six married men as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cloyne at a special Mass this Sunday, 24th September, in Co. Cork.
Speaking about the decline in those signing up to become priests in Ireland, he said the diocese’s new deacons should not be seen as a replacement for the priesthood. “It is encouraging that we will have our first permanent deacons ordained for the diocese,” he said. “Although this takes place in the context of falling numbers of priests, it would not be correct to see the diaconate simply as a replacement for the priesthood. The fullness of the Church’s ministry is seen in the co-operation of bishops, priests and deacons with the people of God in a co-responsibility which includes a variety of gifts and a variety of roles.”
The Bishops of Ireland began the process of introducing permanent deacons in Ireland in the 1990s. The first were ordained for the Archdiocese of Dublin and the Diocese of Elphin in 2012. The diocese of Cloyne first accepted applications in 2013.
Bishop Crean added: “Deacons hold a special ministry within our Church which is to complement, but not to replace, the contribution of our priests or that of the ministry of lay people who serve the community of the Church in an increasing number of ways. “Deacons are called to assist and encourage both priests and the lay faithful.”
The men, ranging in age from 40 to 52 include an accountant, a sales assistant and a cabinet maker, and will be ordained deacons for service in the diocese in Saint Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh.
Garrett Cody (52), from Glasheen, Cork, lives in Garryvoe, and Peter Gurbal (44), originally from Bratislava, Slovakia, lives in Cobh with his wife Lenka and five children ranging from one to 13 years old. Damian McCabe (40), is from the northern coast at Fahan, Buncrana, Co. Donegal and now lives on the southern coast at Whitegate in the parish of Aghada, with his wife Rachel and two daughters aged nine and three. Edward Mulhare (50), from Cahergal Lawn, Ballyhooly Road, Cork, now lives in Castlemartyr, in the parish of Imogeela with his wife, Valerie, and five children aged from nine to 18 years old. John Nestor, (47), originally from Douglas, Cork, also lives in Castlemartyr with his wife Catherine and two teenage children. Brian Williams, (43), heralds from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and is at present moving to the parish of Macroom, Co. Cork with his wife Sharon and two daughters aged nine and five.
