Cork people, along with people from near and far, are especially indebted to a community of religious women for their prayer and witness, according to Bishop Fintan Gavin.

Celebrating Mass at the Poor Clare Monastery, College Road, Cork, Bishop Fintan described the monastery as a “powerhouse of prayer for our city and for our diocese”.

The monastery chapel was overflowing as people came to celebate the life of the thirteenth century Italian woman whose rule the Sisters follow.

Clare was inspired by the preaching of St. Francis of Assisi to leave her home against the wishes of ther family and found a community of contemplative women.

Canon Bernard Donovan

The Bishop's Office has announced that the death has occurred today of Canon Bernard Donovan in Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.

Bishop Fintan Gavin has extended his sympathy and prayerful support to all of Canon Bernard’s family, parishioners and friends at this time.

Canon Bernard has been ministering in Kilmurry Parish since 2008 and lived in Cloughduv.

Canon Bernard, a native of The South Parish, was ordained on November 9^th 1974, at The Reparation Convent, Summerhill South, Cork.  After ordination he served for a time in St. Patrick’s Parish, Cork, and the following year, he was appointed curate at Gurranabraher.

Between 1979 and 2003, Canon Bernard served for 15 years during three terms on the Cork and Ross Diocesan Mission in Trujillo, Peru. In between, he was curate in Carrigaline (1986 – 1992) and curate in Clonakilty (1998 – 2000).  Following his time in Peru, he was on sabbatical for a year before returning home to be appointed Parish Priest of Schull in 2004. His ministry was later extended to include being Administrator of Goleen.

In October 2008, Canon Bernard was appointed Parish Priest of Kilmurry Parish and in September 2022 he was appointed Co-Parish Priest in the Family of Parishes of Bandon, Enniskeane & Desertserges,  Innishannon / Knockavilla, Kilbrittain, Kilmurry and Murragh & Templemartin.

May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.

Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced changes to appointments of priests in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

Announcing the changes which are effective on July 27th, Bishop Fintan said that he is grateful to the priests who are undertaking new appointments this year and to those who retire from a fulltime appointment. 

"I continue to be grateful for their willingness to minister in new ways with colleagues and with people in Families of Parishes," he said.. 

Priests taking up appointments in Families of Parishes in July 2024

Bishop Fintan Gavin

Today is the fifth anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Fintan Gavin.

On this date five years ago Bishop Fintan Gavin was ordained Bishop of Cork and Ross. 

The concelbrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne was full with a capacity congregation representative of the Diocese, the Catholic Church in Ireland and the Bishop's family and friends.

Bishop John Buckley was the principal celebrant.

We pray for continued blessings for Bishop Fintan as he shepherds our diocese.

On Friday 21st June Bishop Fintan blessed and officially opened the new state-of-the-art school building at Scoil an Athar Tadhg in Carrignavar.

This was a special occasion for Carrignavar Parish and the school community. School Pupils, staff, Board of Management, Principal Mr. Cormac Duggan, Canon Martin Keohane Co-PP, parents, families, invited guests, public representatives and the wider parish gathered in the new school building to celebrate a specially prepared liturgy. The participation, prayers and singing of the children was wonderful. Bishop Fintan then blessed the new building.

Bishop Fintan Blesses Scoil an Athar Tadhg in Carrignavar.

Recently, Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed on his pastoral visit to Scoil Náisiúnta an Chroí Naofa in Glounthaune Parish by Principal Mr Damien Irwin, school staff, pupils, representatives of the Board of Management and Parent Association members.

Mr Irwin spoke with pupils about the Catholic ethos of the school and how it is tangible in every aspect of daily school life. He acknowledged and thanked Fr Damian O’Mahony Co-PP for his support and warm relationship that he has cultivated with the school.

Over 160 young adults from across the island of Ireland gathered Saturday last for the inaugural ‘Intentional Young Adult Ministry’ gathering in Clongowes Wood College, Clane Co Kildare.  

Themed Into the deep and hosted by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the event was comprised of participant-led activities, reflections and the celebration of Mass.

Guest speaker for the Into the deep gathering was Fr. Stephen Wang, Archdiocese of Westminster, England, who founded the Sycamore programme for faith formation.

Addressing the participants, Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed the representatives of dioceses and young adult ministry groups from across the country.

While there are many young people involved in Youth 2000, Alpha, Sycamore, Lourdes Pilgrimages and other projects inspired by movements and religious in Ireland, there are challenges to be recognised, he said.

“The context of Youth Ministry has changed so much. As a young person you have to stand out from your peers, and the culture does not support you as it did in the past. When we think of the small numbers of young people in the Church in Ireland today we could well feel despair, desolation - like we have fished all night long and caught nothing.”

“We are called to go beyond our traditional boundaries and meet young adults where they are - both physically and spiritually.  We are called to go to new shores and to connect with people one on one.”

See more on the Bishops' Conference website.

Organisers Gerard Hanley, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Miriam Goulding, with keynote speaker Fr Stephen Wang (Catholic Communications Office)

Bishop Fintan Gavin, Jubiliarians and guests at Innishannon House Hotel.

Bishop John Buckley and several of the priests of the diocese are marking milestones in their ministry this year.

Bishop Fintan Gavin invited Bishop Buckley who is marking 40 years as a bishop and the priests who are marking important jubilees of ordination as priests to a celebratory lunch.

Pictured are (front row) Fr. Michael Regan (50 years a priest), Bishop Noel O’Regan SMA, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop John Buckley (40 years a bishop), Mgr. Gearóid Dullea (25 years a priest), Mgr. Aidan O’Driscoll VG. (Back row) Fr. Marius O’Reilly (10 years a priest), Fr. Bernard Cotter (40 years a priest), Fr. Eoin Whooley (40 years a priest), Fr. Jilson Kokkandathail (30 years a priest), Fr. Ben Hodnett (10 years a priest), An tAthair Liam Ó h-Icí (50 years a priest).

Absent were Fr Bernard Donovan (50 years a priest), Fr Alan O’Leary (40 years a priest) and Fr. Chris O’Donovan (25 years a priest)

Paul Ryan with family and clergy at Kinsale Church

Timoleague parishioner prepares for ordination as permanent deacon.

Paul Ryan from Clogagh in Timoleague Parish was formally launched on the path to ordination as a deacon in a ceremony in Kinsale Parish Church recently.

Bishop Fintan Gavin acknowledged Paul's suitability for ordination in the presence of Paul's wife Bríd, their daughter Anne and son Tomás, who was accompanied by his partner Emma Murphy from Newcestown.

Parishioners of Kinsale, among whom Paul has been engaged in pastoral work over the last while, prayed that Paul's path to ordination would be smooth, in a ceremony during the parish's 12 noon Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 19 May.

There are already three permanent deacons ministering in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. 

Learn about Deacons in our Diocese