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Following the conviction and sentencing in London of James Murphy, a former priest who served for a time in this diocese, the following statement has been issued by the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
James Murphy served in parishes in England until 1992. He returned to Ireland and was appointed to minister in parishes in the Diocese of Cork & Ross. At that time, there was no indication or report that he had abused minors in London parishes.
In 2000, when he pleaded guilty to charges relating to offences committed in London in earlier decades, his right to minister as a priest was immediately withdrawn and he has not ministered anywhere since. The Bishop of Cork and Ross and the priests in the two parishes where he had ministered (St. Patrick’s, Cork and Glounthaune) addressed the issue at Sunday Masses and reassured people who might make contact with concerns that they would receive support.
The diocese has not had any contact with James Murphy since he was sentenced to prison.
The diocese has not received any report that he offended during his time in Cork.
Anyone who may have a concern or a report to make is encouraged to contact the Gardaí or Tusla or the Diocesan Director of Safeguarding.
Bishop John Buckley
On April 29th,1984, Bishop Jojhn Buckley was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of Cork and Ross.
Bishop Fintan Gavin has paid tribute to Bishop Buckley for his dedication to his ministry and to the people of the Diocese.
"I'm grateful to Bishop John for all his kindness and support to me since I came to Cork and I congratulate him on his 40 years of episcopal ministry. I wish him many more years of health and happiness," Bishop Fintan said.
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 a priest in 1965.
Bishop continues to serve in the diocese and is conferring Confirmation on some of the young people of the parishes again this year.
The Annual Cork Eucharistic Procession is a milestone in the religious and community life of Cork City since 1926
Each year people from parishes and faith communities throughout the city and beyond walk in the procession or prayerfully participate along the route as the Bishop carries the Blessed Sacrament from the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne to the city centre.
This year will be the 98th celebration of the Cork Eucharistic Procession as we look forward to its 100th anniversary in 2026. Last year people gathered in their thousands to join the first Cork Eucharistic Procession since 2019 due to Covid. This year we hope even more will join us.
Preparations are underway for several months to reach out to many people (particularly young people), parishes, and faith groups to ensure a dignified and prayerful celebration. A programme has been created for primary schools to share the meaning and history of the Eucharistic Procession with children and to encourage them to be part of the procession with their families. Post-primary school students have also been invited to take part this year.
Choirs and music groups throughout the Diocese are invited to join one great choir to raise up voices together in the procession.
I am very grateful to the many people who have helped with the preparations.
I invite you to join the procession on Sunday, May 26th to walk together in faith as people and families from different parishes, age-groups, communities and countries.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
✠ Fintan Gavin
Bishop of Cork and Ross
98th Cork Eucharistic Procession - Sun 26 May 2024A series of eight meetings to support newly formed primary school Boards of Management are ongoing at different locations throughout the Diocese
There are 175 Catholic primary schools in Cork and Ross under the patronage of Bishop Fintan Gavin.
In the region of 120 participants have attended each of these meetings where BOM’s are supported in their wide range of governance responsibilities. Chairpersons and school principals have already participated in training for the new Boards of Management in late November and early December 2023 when new BOM’s took up their responsibilities on 1st December 2023.
Further diocesan training and support will be available to new BOM’s in relation to specific roles including treasurer, safeguarding and recruitment later this year.
All these training modules are co-ordinated by the Diocesan Education Secretariat in conjunction with CPSMA (Catholic Primary School Management Association)
Part of the large attendance at the training module in Oriel House, BallincolligCatholic priests from India to be hospital chaplains in Cork
Priests from India will minister to the sick in hospitals in Cork. This follows discussions between Bishop Fintan Gavin and the leadership of the Order of St Camillus in India.
This order of priests is inspired by the life of sixteenth century Italian St. Camillus who devoted his life to care of people suffering from plagues.
The Camillian Order is now worldwide – and also has centres in Ireland.
The Diocese of Cork and Ross nominates priest chaplains to Cork University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and Marymount University Hospital.
Bishop Fintan Gavin with Fr. Bijoy George Kuliraniyil MI, Provincial, St. Camillus Province, India
Edina Teopoldo de Campos (to the left of Bishop Fintan) and Danilo Fraga Peixoto (to the right of the bishop) are pictured with families and friends after they were baptised and confirmed at the Easter Vigil. (Photo: Mike English).
The celebration of Easter in Cork this year includes welcomes for new Catholics from Brazil
The Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, was celebrated with principal celebrant Bishop Fintan Gavin.
It included the initiation into the Catholic Church of two people who have come to Cork from Brazil.
Edina Teopoldo de Campos (to the left of Bishop Fintan) and Danilo Fraga Peixoto (to the right of the bishop) are pictured with families and friends after they were baptised and confirmed at the Easter Vigil.
This is the highpoint of their participation in a preparatory programme known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This programme is provided by parishes with the support of the Mission and Ministry Office of the diocese.
The Holy Thursday Mass of Chrism was celebrated at Cork's Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne this morning
Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed parishioners and priests and religious from across the diocese.
The ceremony included the:
- Renewal of Priestly Promises
- Blessing of the Oil of the Sick
- Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens
- and the Consecration of the Chrism
Bishop Fintan acknowledged especially the contibution of priests across the diocese in a time of a lot of change.
“I want to acknowledge the generosity of so many of our priests who generously continue to minister beyond the retirement age of parish priests at 75 years."
Bishop Fintan Gavin blesses the Holy Oils at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in CorkThe Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne invites applications for the position of Director of Music at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Roman Street, Cork
This is a part-time fixed-term contract. The person undertaking this post will work collaboratively with the Administrator of the Cathedral, Bishop of the Diocese and Priests of the Parishes, to:
- Develop music within the Cathedral Parish and will work to develop a wider vision and programme of Music for the Diocese of Cork and Ross
- Select appropriate liturgical music for each liturgy
Leading the Cathedral Choir at weekly Sunday Mass with Tuesday rehearsal. This work includes liturgical key dates and events for Holy Week and Easter Triduum Liturgies, The Liturgies at Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Corpus Christi and other Diocesan / Parish Liturgies that will arise on various occasions.
Closing date for receipt of Applications is
12 noon on Friday 19th April 2024
St. Patricks Day at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. AnneBishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant of Mass to mark St. Patrick’s Day at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne
The Mass was attended by members of the Cork City Council, lead by Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, along with Ann Doherty, Chiel Executive of Cork City Council and Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive of Cork City Council.
The congregation enjoyed the hospitality of the Cathedral Parish after Mass at the Cathedral Visitor Centre.
Bishop Fintan with those preparing to receive Baptism Confirmation and Eucharist (from left) Réidín, Winny, Bishop Fintan, and EdinaOn Saturday, February 17th 2024, the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion was celebrated in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork.
“I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
This liturgy is a joyful moment for the diocese when adults who have been preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are formally called by name by Bishop Fintan.
We invite you to pray for Winny, Réidín, Edina, Edith, Sarah and Danilo in your prayers. Please also pray for Emily who could not attend due to circumstances outside of her control.
May we support them in faith, prayer, and example.
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July 2025
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April 2025
- Preparations are underway to celebrate 99 years since the first Corpus Christi Procession
- Mass offered in Cork's Cathedral for Pope Francis
- Pope Francis will be remembered at Solemn Mass at Cork's North Cathedral on Friday eve
- Bishop Fintan invites people to remember Pope Francis with gratitude and in prayer
- Cork’s North Cathedral filled for Holy Thursday Mass
- Sacred days begin with Mass of Chrism on Holy Thursday, Apr 17th.
- Corpus Christi Procession 2025
- Family of Parishes choirs join in workshop on liturgical music
- The Lord Mayor of Cork visits Bishop Fintan Gavin
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