Commitment of New Deacons a Sign of Hope for the Future

06 Apr 2010

PRESS RELEASE
6 April 2010

Commitment of New Deacons a Sign of Hope for the Future

Bishop Willie Walsh, Bishop of Killaloe, ordained two students from the Pontifical Irish College, Rome as deacons on Easter Monday, 5th April 2010.  Gerard Jones (27) and Damian McCaughan (30) were ordained in the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome.

The new deacons, who will be ordained to the priesthood next year, had both graduated from university before coming to the seminary.  Gerard Jones had completed a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Limerick in 2004 and worked for some years as a computer systems analyst.  Damian McCaughan graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Leeds and was employed in media production.

In his homily at the ordination ceremony, Bishop Walsh commented on the faith, the courage and the generosity of the young men on taking on the responsibility of the diaconate at a time when the Irish church is enveloped under something of a dark cloud.  He spoke of their commitment as a sign of hope for the future.  He emphasized that their commitment was above all a commitment to follow the example and teaching of Christ in the service of people.

The parents and family member of both deacons travelled from Ireland to be at the ceremony.  Gerard Jones is the son of Nicholas and Chrissie Jones from O’Brien’s Bridge, Co Clare.  Damian McCaughan is the son of Anthony and Iverna McCaughan from Coleraine, Co Derry.

Further information
Fr Ignatius McCormack, Vocations Director, St Flannan’s College, Ennis, Co Clare, tel: 086 2777139
Fr Brendan Quinlivan, Diocesan Communications Officer, tel: 087 2736310

See photographs of the event in our image gallery …