Recently Bishop Fintan visited both Togher Parish Primary Schools, Togher Boys National School and Scoil An Athar Maitiú Girls School

He was warmly received in both schools where he met pupils in 2nd – 6th Classes as part of a Prayer Assembly in the school hall followed by an opportunity to answer pupil questions. He then moved around the school to meet junior classes and special classes in their classrooms. He also had the opportunity to meet staff members socially for refreshments in the school staff rooms.

In the course of his pastoral visit he also met Board of Management members and Parents Association representatives in both schools.

Bishop Fintan looks forward to visiting more primary school communities before the summer and in the autumn.

There are 175 primary schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the patronage of the Bishop.

Post-primary students were presented with awards which commemorate the life of a pope and acknowledges their faith and service in their parishes.

Students from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, had engaged in a host of faith-based activities and a range of social awareness activities within the parishes of Barryroe, Timoleague & Clonakilty.

They were presented with their Pope John Paul II  awards by Bishop Fintan Gavin at Mass in Clonakilty on Sunday May 12^th 2024.

The recipients were Sinead Walsh (Timoleague Parish), Ciara Collins (Clonakilty Parish), Lauren Eady (Clonakilty Parish), Saoirse Whelton (Barryroe Parish, (Caoimhe Ní Bhuachalla (Barryroe Parish), Sara O’Sullivan (Clonakilty Parish) and Sinead Crowley (Clonakilty Parish).

Students from Coláiste Éamann Rís in Cork were also presented with their Pope John Paul II Awards by Bishop Fintan on Saturday last, May 11^th in St. Finbarr’s South Parish, Cork.

The photo includes Ms. Anne Marie Nolan, their Awards Mentor, and Fr. Kevin O'Regan, Co-PP..

The six students in the photograph are: Matthew Keder, Beatriz Amieiro, Laura Pason, Michaela Madankova, Katie O’Leary Luke Aibangbee. Two presentations in adstentia were to Conor Mc Carthy & Antonio Garcia-Cervigon Moreno.

Bishop Fintan at Mass to begin 24-hour adoration

Bishop Fintan was the principal celebrant at Mass on Friday, May 10th, in Saints Peter and Paul's Church, to officially launch perpetual Eucharistic Adoration 24/7 in the heart of Cork City. 

To enable this to happen over 500 people have made a commitment to pray for one hour each week.  Hundreds of those turned up for the special Mass.

The adoration will happen during the day from 8am in the morning until 8pm in Saints Peter and Paul's Church (just off Patrick's Street) and then it will continue during the night at the Dominican Church, St Mary's on Pope's Quay.

The death has occurred of Canon Michael Riordan in Cork University Hospital, on 6^th May 2024.  

Canon Michael, a native of Kilmichael Parish, was ordained to the Priesthood on 23rd May 1959 in the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, and began his ministry on temporary mission in the Archdiocese of Calabar, Nigeria for two years.  On returning to the diocese, he ministered as Assistant Curate in Ballingeary, Curate in Muintir Bháire and Passage West.

He then served in the Cork and Ross South American Mission in El Porvenir, Trujillo, Peru, from 1965 – 1971.  On his return home, he ministered as Curate in Watergrasshill, Carrigaline and St. Patrick’s Parish.  

Canon Michael returned to Peru to again serve with the Cork and Ross South American Mission in La Esperenza, Trujillo, from 1985 – 1991.

He then ministered as Parish Priest in Togher Parish from 1991 – 2011.

May he rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served. 

The 98th Cork City Eucharistic Procession to mark the feast of Corpus Christi will take place on Sunday May 26th and details have been announced by the diocese.

The procession will leave the North Cathedral at 3pm and make its way through the city to Saints Peter and Paul's where there will be a short liturgy and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 

Parish groups are encouraged to gather at the Cathedral and to process together under their parish banner. For those who may have mobility issues, you will be able to join the procession at the river side of the Opera House under a Eucharistic Banner.  The Stewards will facilitate and direct this group to join the Procession.

The news media reported that over 4,000 people processed in 2023, and it is wonderful to see that the Eucharistic Procession continues to unite people of faith across Cork from many different communities and backgrounds. 

The procession which will celebrate 100 years in 2026, is a great public witness to our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  People from Parishes throughout the Diocese and especially those around the city are strongly encouraged to join us for this important event for our city and our people of faith united around the Eucharist.

Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork and Bishop Fintan Gavin. at the launch of the 98th Cork Eucharistic Procession. (Pic. Brian Lougheed)

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.