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The Diocesan Office has announced the death of the late Canon John K. O'Mahony RIP.
Canon John K. was ordained to the priesthood on 18th June 1961 and began his ministry on temporary mission in Birmingham Diocese for one year.
On returning to Cork and Ross, he ministered as chaplain in Schull, Dunmanway, St. Marie’s of the Isle, the Bons Secours Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospital.
In 1967 he was appointed to St. Anne’s Adoption Society and as Director of Social Services in the Diocese from 1982 – 1989.
He served as Parish Priest in Ballinhassig (1989 – 1998) and Kinsale (1998 – 2008). He continued to minister as Assistant Priest in Kinsale Parish until 2015.
In recent years, he has resided in St. Joseph’s Bons Secours Care Village, Mount Desert.
May he now rest in the peace of the Lord.
The late Canon John K. O'Mahony RIP
Bishop Fintan addresses students, staff and visitors on his visit to Schull Community College
Recently Bishop Fintan Gavin made a Pastoral Visit to Schull Community College in West Cork where he was warmly welcomed on arrival by School Principal Ms. Sarah Buckley, Deputy Principal Mr. Brendan Drinan and members of the Student Council.
Students and staff assembled for a Prayer Service based on Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical “Laudato Si’ ” and focused on the theme of “Caring for the Earth our common home”.
Two local priests, Fr. Myles McSweeney Co-PP and Fr. Anthony Buckley CC also participated in the Liturgy which was prepared and presented by School Chaplain Ms. Imelda McCarthy and RE Teacher Ms. Karen Sheehan.
Bishop Fintan recently visited Nano Nagle College Farranree (formerly North Presentation Secondary School)
Under the patronage of the CEIST Schools Trust, Nano Nagle College is the most recent Post Primary school in the Diocese to effect a change in status to a Co-Educational College. The school welcomed boys as students for the first-time last September.
Bishop Fintan received a warm welcome from members of the Student’s Council on arrival as well as from School Principal Mr. Adrian Gibbs and Deputy Principal Ms. Sarah Curtin.
The school community assembled in the Library for a short prayer service before being addressed by Bishop Fintan. Sr. Ena from the Presentation Sisters Community in Farranree was also present for the occasion.
Bishop Fintan is welcomed by representatives of Nano Nagle College Student Council, Mr. Adrian Gibbs (Principal), Sarah Curtin (Deputy Principal) and Sr. Ena (Presentation Sisters)
Dr. Judith King facilitating the Diocesan Gathering of Post Primary RE Teachers.
On Thursday October 19th, a group of 53 RE Teachers drawn from 31 Post Primary Schools throughout the Diocese attended a Religious Education Teacher In-service gathering at Innishannon House Hotel.
Hosted by Bishop Fintan, it was the first time that RE Teachers working in the various school settings within the Diocese had an opportunity to gather since the Covid 19 pandemic.
Following the opening words of welcome by Bishop Fintan, the day was arranged into three sessions facilitated by Dr. Judith King. The introductory session was presented by Elaine O’Sullivan, School Chaplain in Maria Immaculata Community College, Dunmanway.
Recently Bishop Fintan met with representatives of the Brazilian Catholic Community in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
The Brazilian Catholic Community in the Diocese was established in 2018 initially meeting as a prayer group. As the community has grown since then, they now meet regularly for Mass celebrated in Portuguese. Fr. Bernard Morawski OFM Cap from Holy Trinity Church currently celebrates Mass for the community.
Bishop Fintan looks forward to supporting the Brazilian Catholic Community who in turn have expressed their wish to participate in evangelisation in our Diocese.
Bishop Fintan with Fr. Bernard Morawski OFM Cap, Klissya Vecchio and her son, General Coordinator of Brazilian Community Thiago Khoury and Friar Severino from Dublin.
Fr Tim O'Sullivan RIPThe Diocesan Office has announced that the most senior priest of the diocese has died.
Fr. Tim O'Sullivan, a native of Carrigadrohid in Kilmurry Parish, was ordained to the priesthood on 8th June 1952. He began his priestly ministry in Motherwell Diocese, Scotland (1952 – 1957). Returning to Cork and Ross, he served as curate in the Parishes of St. Patrick’s and Ardfield.
He then went to Peru in 1962, initially with the Society of St. James and then the Cork and Ross South American Mission until 1972 serving in Cuzco, Chimbote and Trujillo.
On his return to the Diocese in 1972, he was appointed as Curate in Bandon Parish until 1981 and then as priest-in-charge of Mahon. Fr. Tim was appointed as Parish Priest in Schull Parish from 1984 – 1991.
In 1991, Fr. Tim was appointed as Chaplain to the Irish Pastoral Centre in Boston, USA, while residing in St. Mark’s Parish, Dorchester in Boston.
In 1997, he was appointed as National Coordinator of the Irish Apostolate in the United States until 2001 in the Archdiocese of Washington.
Fr. Tim then served as Parish Priest in Kilmurry from 2001 – 2005 and aas Assistant Priest there until 2009. On retirement, Fr. Tim moved to Villa Maria in Farnanes and worked closely with Sr. Consilio in Cuan Mhuire providing addiction treatment services.
May he rest in the peace of the Lord.
Bishop Fintan is welcomed to Presentation Secondary School BallyphehaneBishop Fintan received a very warm welcome to Presentation Secondary School Ballyphehane when he visited on Tuesday 24th October
The students and staff arranged a beautiful prayer service with Bishop Fintan which was followed by an engaging question and answer session with students. A highlight was Bishop Fintan’s conversation in Italian with exchange students from Italy.
Bishop Fintan was presented with a beautiful painting of The Lough which was painted by school art teacher, Ms. Wall.
The school will change status to co-educational from September 2024.
Here is a list of November Blessing of Graves and Cemetery Prayers throughout the Diocese
Blessing of Graves and Cemetery Prayers
St. Peter's Square at the VaticanDuring his general audience on 18th October, Pope Francis declared that this Friday 27th October is to be a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace.
The Holy Father invited ‘the various Christian confessions, members of other religious, and all who hold the cause of peace in the world at heart to participate.’
A Vigil will take place at 5pm (Irish time) in St. Peter's Square, where an hour of prayer in a spirit of penance to implore peace in our time in this world will be held.
"Our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel. The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate," the Pope continued.
"Please, let everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster."
You will be able to join the Vigil of Prayer here
On Monday 23rd October, Bishop Fintan visited St. Patrick’s College, Gardiner’s Hill.
In the course of his visit Bishop Fintan led a beautiful prayer service arranged by the school. Following a visit of the school facilities, he participated in a question-and-answer session with students. He reminded them of the three words of advice from Pope Francis at the recent World Youth Day - to shine, to listen and to be unafraid.
Bishop Fintan also visited An Cuan, met parents and staff and spoke to students.
Bishop Fintan in An Cuan with staff and students
Latest News
News
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February 2026
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January 2026
- Vacancy: Parish Life Coordinator
- Annual Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Celebrated in Cork
- Bishop Fintan Visits Schools During Catholic Schools Week
- Vacancy: Diocesan Director of Safeguarding
- Catholic Schools Week takes place from 18th - 24th January
- Bishop Fintan visits Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra, Bantry
- Bishop closes Jubilee Year at Cathedral Mass
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December 2025
- Bishop Fintan's greeting and blessing for the new year
- Highlights of the past year in our diocese
- Two priests take sabbaticals; two priests appointed
- Fr Bernard Cotter Publishes New Book
- Bishop Fintan’s live crib Christmas message 2025
- Bishop Fintan’s Live Crib Christmas Message 2025
- Almost 800 pupils participate in Confirmation retreats with NET Ministries
- Br. Simon Fernandes Makes Perpetual Profession of Vows
- Light Fever taking place this Sunday in Ss. Peter and Paul's Church
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November 2025
