Bishop John Buckley was born in Inchigeela (Uibh Laoire parish) in West Cork

He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth and was ordained in 1965. He taught on the staff of St. Finbarr’s College, Farranferris, until he became its President in 1975. He worked for one year as parish priest of Turner’s Cross Parish, Cork. He was ordained Titular Bishop of Leptis Magna and Auxiliary Bishop of Cork and Ross in 1984. On Friday 19th December, 1997, the Holy See announced the appointment of Bishop John Buckley as Bishop of Cork and Ross. Bishop Buckley was the Diocesan Administrator since the death of Bishop Michael Murphy in October 1996.

Bishop Buckley was installed as Bishop of Cork and Ross at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, on February 8th, 1998, at 3 pm.

On November 2nd, 2014, Bishop Buckley reached the age at which serving diocesan bishops are required by Church law to submit their resignation to the Holy Father.

At the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Fintan Gavin as Bishop of the Diocese of Cork & Ross at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork. Bishop John Buckley, now retiring, being greeted by guests as he exits the cathedral after the ordination. Pic: Brian LougheedAt the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Fintan Gavin as Bishop of the Diocese of Cork & Ross at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork. Bishop John Buckley, now retiring, being greeted by guests as he exits the cathedral after the ordination. Pic: Brian Lougheed

On April, 8th, 2019, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Buckley as Bishop of Cork and Ross and appointed Bishop Fintan Gavin to be his successor.

Bishop Buckley can be contacted at:

Cork and Ross Offices, Redemption Road, Cork
Tel: 021 4301717