Bishop William Crean to ordain Reverend John Magner to the priesthood in Saint Colman’s Cathedral

23 Jun 2017

  • First Mass of Thanksgiving to be celebrated on Monday 26 June

Reverend John Magner will be ordained to the priesthood for service in the Diocese of Cloyne on Sunday 25 June at 3.00pm in Saint Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork.

John is a native of Castletownroche, born into a farming family.  He is currently resident in Whitechurch.  He received his primary education in Castletownroche National School and his secondary education in both CBS Doneraile and Saint Colman’s College, Fermoy.  In 1964, at eighteen years of age, John entered the seminary at Saint Patrick’s College, Carlow, for formation to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cloyne.  He did not complete his priestly studies at that stage, however, and some years after leaving seminary he met and married Maria O’Mahony, being further blessed with two daughters, Gemma and Emily.

John spent most of his working life as a credit controller.  He held this position with Sunbeam Ltd Cork for fifteen years.  John was a director of Blackpool Credit Union for seventeen years fulfilling roles such as honorary secretary and chairperson.  For the last eleven years of his working life he was employed with the Credit Union as a fulltime credit controller.  Much of this work involved providing financial counselling to people who were experiencing financial difficulties.  He was also chairperson of the Parents’ Association of a local National School.

Sadly, John’s beloved wife Maria passed away in 2005.  In 2012, John applied to the Diocese of Cloyne to resume his studies for the priesthood.  His application accepted, John undertook Philosophy and Theology studies in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, finishing his Baccalaureate in Divinity in 2017.  John was ordained to the Diaconate by Bishop William Crean on Sunday, 29 May 2016 in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Reverend Magner will be ordained to the priesthood this Sunday by Bishop William Crean and will celebrate his First Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday 26 June at 7.30pm in Saint Patrick’s Church, Whitechurch.

Anyone interested in applying to study for priesthood in Cloyne should contact their local priest or Father Brian Boyle, Director of Vocations, at 029 50061, or [email protected].

ENDS

  • Bishop William Crean is Bishop of Cloyne.

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678