Seven young adults will be joining this year’s Young Adult Community at St. Peter and Paul's

Last Saturday was the induction day for the Young Adult Community of St. Peter and Paul's, held in the Friary, Kinsale. Seven young adults met as a community for the very first time.

The day was filled with joy, reflection, fun, and a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead. Together we shared a meal, celebrated Mass in the Friary, and met the priests from The Cathedral Family of Parishes. Bishop Fintan, also joined the group offering encouragement and support.

We look forward with hope and excitement to what lies ahead for this new community of faith and friendship.

Last weekend, altar servers from the parishes of Barryroe and Kilbrittain took part in the filming of new training videos for the Diocese.

The videos will act as a helpful resource for parents and adult volunteers, offering guidance on how to train and form altar servers within their own parishes.

The videos will be available shortly on our website and YouTube channel.

The Cork and Ross Jubilee of Youth Pilgrims met at Mardyke House for an evening of reflection, prayer, and community.

The group gathered to share and reflect on their experiences from the Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage and how it has helped them to grow in their faith. They looked at what faith practices they could introduce in their lives to keep it – such as daily prayer, mass, faith formation programmes and spiritual direction.

As thousands of young people across the diocese prepare the receive the results of their Leaving Certificate Examination, Bishop Fintan Gavin asks students to remember that exam results are just one stepping stone in the road of life.

“To all of you receiving your Leaving Cert results this week, whether you are celebrating or feeling disappointed, know this: your worth is not defined by any exam or number,” Bishop Gavin said.

Bishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and Ross is Chair of the Council for Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Development.

He also offered a message of reassurance to students who may be disappointed by their results.

“If you didn’t get the points or the place you were hoping for, don’t despair. God has a plan for you. Sometimes, it’s in the moments when our own plans fall through that a greater purpose begins to unfold. I want you to remember that there are many paths forward, and each one is valuable. Stay open, stay hopeful, and trust that your journey is only beginning. You are never alone in it.”

Bishop announces additional priest changes in the Diocese of Cork and Ross

In addition to priest changes already announced this summer, Bishop Fintan has made these additional appointments:

Fr Vineesh K Ulahannan MI (Camilians, India), to become Curate pro tem in the Family of Parishes of Douglas & Rochestown, Frankfield & Grange and Turner’s Cross effective from 26th July 2025.

Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, to become Co-Parish Priest in the Family of Parishes of Ballineaspaig, Curraheen Road, Sacred Heart and Wilton, taking effect from 15th August 2025.

It’s over 60 years since the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, lead by Bishop Lucey, took a decision which would change the lives of many people in South America.

On St. Patrick’s Day, 1965, Bishop Cornelius Lucey took pastoral responsibility for thousands of people living in the sands around the city of Trujillo in northern Peru.

Decades later, the mission was extended to include an area near the city of Manta , Ecuador. 

The Mission in Peru was in the sandy suburbs of Trujillo

Appointment of Diocesan Director of Safeguarding for Diocese of Cork and Ross 

Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced the appointment of Des Bell as Diocesan Director of Safeguarding in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Des is based at the Diocesan Offices in Redemption Road.

Des joins the diocese following his recent retirement from An Garda Síochána. He brings with him extensive experience and numerous qualifications in the areas of child protection, welfare, risk assessment and intervention, psychology, and governance. His academic background includes a Masters in Social Policy, Child Protection and Welfare from University College Cork (UCC), and an MSc in Cybercrime from the University of Portsmouth. He is also an active volunteer in sports coaching and other community organisations.

As Diocesan Director of Safeguarding, Des is responsible for planning and managing the diocesan safeguarding service, with a particular focus on developing, maintaining, and monitoring a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in all aspects of Church life and ministry. He will oversee all safeguarding training and ensure the safeguarding message is effectively communicated across the diocese, promoting best practice in every parish and ministry.