Martyred Iraqi priest, who had stayed at the Irish College in Rome, returned to his home country despite the dangers because he felt that "Without their pastor the flock would be lost".

Former East End gangster John Pridmore and the new Bishop of Waterford & Lismore will speak at the Little Sisters of the Poor's special vocations day later this month.

"Will the terms ‘father’ and ‘mother’ have any real meaning in the future?" - Bishop Phonsie Cullinan.

“We put ourselves at the service of others especially those most in need in our society: the poor, the sick, the vulnerable, those who feel alienated from God”.

Fr Alphonsus Cullinan will be ordained Bishop of Waterford & Lismore this Sunday.

“On my own I won’t get very far, but together, people and religious and with my brother priests and Bishop Willie, we will do great things for God” - Fr Cullinan.

Limerick priest Fr Alphonsus Cullinan replaces Bishop William Lee who retired on health grounds in October 2013.