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Bishop Fintan Gavin
Diocesan news direct to your email• The final Mass at St. Augustine’s Church, Washington St., Cork, was celebrated on Sunday July 12th, 2026 at 11.30am.
• The principal celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Paddy O’Reilly, Provincial of the Augustinian Order in Ireland.
These are the Words of Appreciation spoken by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross at the beginning of the Mass.
Today is a sad and historic day for Cork. It marks both the closing of this much-loved church and the conclusion of the Augustinian friars’ long ministry in Cork.
We gather for the final celebration of the Eucharist in St. Augustine’s Church, which for eighty-four years has stood at the heart of our city as a place of prayer, welcome and peace.
On behalf of the priests, deacons and people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, and on my own behalf, I want to express deep gratitude to the Augustinian friars.
Your presence in Cork reaches back to 1272. Across so many generations, and through very different times in the history of this city, the Augustinian family has been part of Cork’s spiritual, cultural and human life.
That ministry was not confined to this church. The Augustinians also served the wider community through chaplaincy in education, in hospitals, and with religious communities such as St Marie’s of the Isle.
St Augustines Church, Cork
Some of the priest jubilarians in 2026 with Bishop Fintan: Fr. Bartolomiej Dziedzic, Mgr Aidan O'Driscoll, Fr. Kieron O'Driscoll, Canon Martin O'Driscoll, Fr. Gerard Dunne OP, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Fr Michael Forde, Fr. Emmanuel Ihomon, Fr Padraig Corkery, Fr Liam Crowley and Fr. Joyel Cletus.
Bishop Fintan Gavin hosted a celebratory lunch with priests who are marking significant milestones in their priesthood and were free to attend.
The jubilations include Fr Tom Clancy who was ordained 65 years ago, Canon Tadhg Ó Mathúna who was ordained 60 years ago and An tAthair Seosamh Ó Cochláin who was ordained 55 years ago. All three are are retired.
Golden jubilations include Canon Robert Brophy, Fr Liam Crowley and Fr. Noel O'Sullivan who were all ordained in 1976.
Fr Padraig Corkery, Mgr Aidan O'Driscoll and Fr. Fergus Tuohy SMA were ordained 45 years in 1981.
Fr. Kieron O'Driscoll, Canon Martin O'Driscoll and Fr. Patrick Walsh were ordained 40 years ago in 1986.
Fr Myles McSweeney, Fr. Gerard Dunne OP and Fr Michael Forde C.Ss.R. were ordained 30 years ago in 1996.
Fr. Michael Anthony Buckley, Fr. Bartolomiej Dziedzic, Fr. Joyel John Michael Cletus IC and Fr. Emmanuel Ihomon were all ordained in 2011 and are 15 years in the priesthood.
Fr. Pat Nugent and Fr. Vineesh K Ulahannan MI are both marking the tenth anniversary of their ordination in 2016.
This was Bishop Fintan’s message to the newest permanent deacon in our diocese who was ordained last Sunday.
Paul Ryan was ordained in his parish church in Timoleague by Bishop Fintan at a concelebrated Mass attended by Paul’s family and friends, other deacons and priests, along with parishioners from Timoleague and across the diocese.
“A deacon brings the needs of people to the altar, and he carries the charity of Christ from the altar back to the people,” Bishop Fintan said in his homily.”
Paul grew up in west Co Clare but has been living in Timoleague for over 20 years.
Addressing Paul during the Mass, Bishop Fintan acknowledged that a vocation grows and is nourished during a person’s own growth.
Pictured are Tomás Ryan, Deacon Paul Ryan and his wife Bríd, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Anne Ryan. (Photo BGM Media)
Bishop Fintan Gavin“I warmly congratulate Archdeacon Andrew Orr on his election as the new Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross,” Bishop Fintan said.
“On my own behalf, and on behalf of the clergy, religious and people of the Catholic Diocese of Cork and Ross, I assure Bishop-elect Andrew of our prayerful support and good wishes as he prepares for his consecration and for this new ministry of service.
“I look forward to working with him in the years ahead and to continuing to build on the good relationships and strong bonds of friendship that have existed between the bishops and people of our two dioceses.
“May the Lord bless him and guide him in this new ministry.”
The result of the election was announced on Friday, 19 June 2026.
We ask the Lord to bless Paul as he prepares to be ordained at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timoleague and to serve the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross as a Permanent Deacon.
Bishop Fintan Gavin will ordain Paul, priests will concelebrate the Mass and other permanent deacons will also minister.
At Kinsale Parish Church In 2024 when Paul was admitted to Candidacy for Ordination, Paul is seen with Bishop Fintan Gavin, along with Paul's wife Bríd, their daughter Anne and son Tomás. (Photo: Mariana Wirsam)
Young Adult Community 2025/26
Now in its third year, this initiative offers young adults a unique opportunity to live in the heart of Cork City, deepen their Catholic faith in fellowship with others, and actively participate in parish and diocesan life.
A weekly community evening forms a central part of the programme, providing time for prayer, fellowship and ongoing faith formation. Each member will also undertake a regular pastoral placement, contributing to initiatives such as OCIA, the Mass animated by Young Adults, Alpha and other parish ministries.
More than simply a residential experience, this year is intended as a time for growing in personal prayer and learning how to share your faith with others.
