PRESS RELEASE
8 JUNE 2005
FOUR STUDENTS FROM THE PONTIFICAL IRISH COLLEGE, ROME
TO BE ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD IN 2005
Four students from the Pontifical Irish College, Rome are being ordained to
the priesthood in 2005. The ordinations will take place in dioceses during
the summer months.
This years ordination class consists of:
* Armagh – Liam McKinney
* Cloyne – Patrick McCarthy
* Acireale (Sicily) – Giovanni La Rosa
* Meath – Shane Crombie
When announcing the forthcoming ordinations, the Rector of the Irish College
Msgr Liam Bergin echoed the words addressed by Pope Benedict XVI on May 15th
last to 21 newly ordained priests for the diocese of Rome.
‘We can and must live the dynamism of the Spirit. As the Lord came from the
Father and has given us light, life and love, so too the mission must continually
set us in motion, make us restless, to bring the joy of Christ to those who
suffer, those who are in doubt, as well as to the reluctant.’
Msgr Bergin also pointed to the recent increase in interest in the priesthood
in Ireland and beyond.
In addition to being home to 18 seminarians, the Irish College community also
includes 45 post graduate priests. Several of these priests concluded their
doctorates during these academic this year. These priests will return to their
home dioceses to teach in universities or seminaries and to work in the area
of adult faith formation.
Ends
Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
Notes for Editors:
* The total ordinations from Irish seminaries for 2005 is twelve – eight
from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and four from the Pontifical Irish College, Rome.
* Ten of these priests are being ordained for Irish dioceses with the other
two ordained for Mostar and Acireale (Sicily).
* The Irish College, Rome was founded on January 1, 1628 by the Irish Franciscan,
Fr Luke Wadding and the Italian Cardinal, Ludovico Ludovisi.
* It is the only surviving example of the large number of Irish seminaries
established on the European mainland during the penal law period in Ireland
to educate Priests for the Irish Church.
* Past pupils include Saint Oliver Plunkett and Blessed Columba Marmion.
* Today, while the primary function of the College is the formation of
seminarians and Priests for Ireland, it has also expanded to include the
education of clergy for other parts of the world.
* The College serves as a centre for Irish pilgrims during the summer
holiday months.
* In addition, the Irish College serves as a centre for the Irish
community in Rome and as a focal point for Irish culture. Each year
over 200 Irish couples celebrated their weddings in the Irish College.
* The present rector is Monsignor Liam Bergin of the diocese of Ossory.
