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.

Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced the following changes to priest appointments in the diocese  

Retirement:

Fr John Collins AP in the Family of Parishes of Ballincollig, Ballinora, Kilmurry, Ovens and Farran retires from this full-time appointment, though his priestly ministry will continue. 

Priests taking up appointments in Families of Parishes in July 2025:

Canon John Kingston Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ardfield & Rathbarry, Barryroe, Clonakilty, Kilmeen & Castleventry, Rosscarbery & Lisavaird and Timoleague to become Assistant Priest (AP) in the same Family of Parishes. 

Fr Noel O’Sullivan Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Douglas & Rochestown, Frankfield & Grange and Turner’s Cross to become Assistant Priest (AP) in the same Family of Parishes. 

Fr Michael Regan Co-PP in the Family of Parishes of Ballinhassig, Clontead, Courceys and Kinsale to become Assistant Priest (AP) in the same Family of Parishes. 

At a lunch hosted by Bishop Fintan Gavin for priests marking jubilees of ordination to priesthood in 2025.

Just over a week ago, Bishop Fintan Gavin hosted a lunch for priests marking jubilees of ordination to priesthood in 2025 and who minister in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

The priests who attended included priests who were ordained to the priesthood between 15 and 60 years ago and included Emeritus Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop John Buckley who was ordained a priest in 1965.

The attendance also included Fr. Oscar O’Leary OFM who was also ordained 60 years ago as a Franciscan priest. Regrettably, Fr. Oscar returned to the Lord on Sunday June 29th at the Franciscan Friary in Cork.

Among Fr. Oscar’s long years of ministry were many years spent devoted to the pastoral care and support of the Traveller Community in Cork. 

The photo shows: Back row: Fr. Fergus Ryan OP CC (15 years), Fr. Declan Brennan OSA (45 years), Fr. Pat O’Donovan Co-PP (30 years), Fr. Dwayne Gavin (25 years). 

99th Cork Eucharistic Procession - Invitation to Choirs

The 99th Eucharistic Procession takes place in Cork city on Sunday, 22 June 2025. 

Preparations are underway for this annual procession which is part of the tradition in the city and in parishes across the diocese. Organisers of the City Procession extend an invitation to parish choirs, school choirs, and music groups to participate and help lead the congregation in joyful song during this year's procession. 

There will be a music practice on Tuesday 10th June at 7pm in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork. All voices are welcome! 

For more information or to express your interest, please contact the organisers

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Click here to watch video invitation

The Diocese of Cork and Ross wishes to recruit a Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools 

(Part-time three year fixed-term Contract)

The Diocese of Cork and Ross is a faith community of 68 parishes and 173 primary schools under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and  Ross. The diocese wishes to sustain and develop its commitment to support primary school communities, parishes and families of parishes by appointing a part-time Coordinator for Faith Formation in Primary Schools to support and guide religious education and faith formation.

The person in this role will support religious education and faith formation in Primary Schools under the patronage of the diocese, including the ‘Grow in Love’ programme through a range of activities including school visits to advise, resource and support teachers and similarly support parents, priests, parishes and families of parishes in faith formation.

What a joyful and grace-filled day for the Brazilian Catholic Community in Cork! Bishop Fintan Gavin celebrated Mass with the growing community.

Bishop Fintan Gavin to celebrated Mass with the community at Holy Trinity Church last weekend and was  accompanied by Lorraine Buckley, Faith Development Coordinator. Their presence brought a deep sense of unity, encouragement, and spiritual strength to all present.

The Mass was very special and beautifully organised by the Brazilian community with great care and dedication. From the liturgy to the welcoming atmosphere, everything reflected the love and commitment of the members. The music during the celebration was truly amazing—inspiring, joyful, and uplifting. It touched hearts and helped make the experience even more meaningful for everyone present.

Plans for Cork City’s 2025 Corpus Christi Procession in June were announced at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne on Wednesday evening.

Cllr. Tony Fitzgerald, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork City; Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin; and Paul Moynihan, MC for the launch, addressed over 120 attendees. They were joined by representatives from parishes and faith community groups and musicians for an evening of festivities.

The Eucharistic Procession will take place on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. This year marks 99 years since it began with the first Procession in the Cork city streets taking place on June 6^th, 1926 where tens of thousands of people participated. 

The idea of taking the Procession through the streets of Cork emerged in the years after the War of Independence and the Civil War in a bid to heal division. 

Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost OSA as our new pope.

Cardinal Prevost has taken the name Pope Leo XIV and his election comes on day two of the Conclave in Rome where 133 cardinal electors were gathered in the Sistine Chapel.

Bishop Fintan Gavin also extends his congratulations to the community of Augustinian Friars in Cork as the new pope belongs to the worldwide Augustinian family which is one of the oldest religious orders of the Catholic Church.

“It’s very encouraging to hear the key points made by the Holy Father in his first remarks. He emphasised the need for unity and peace in the world and in the Church.” 

“Pope Leo also has a connection with Cork and Ross Diocese because until last year he was a bishop in Peru. Many of the priests and religious sisters in our diocese have also spent time as missionaries in Peru.”

The choice of name which the new pope has taken also tells us something of his emphasis in faith, Bishop Fintan said. 

“Pope Leo XIII, the last pope to take the name Leo, issued an important document in 1891 on the social teaching of the Church. And this new pope is someone who has ministered among the poor in Peru.”

I invite the people of our diocese to pray for Pope Leo as he becomes our chief shepherd and guides us closer to the Risen Lord.”

Cardinal Provost announced as Pope Leo XIV