A
FORMER high-flying banker, who once played the international currency
markets, raking in a large salary and bonuses, has given it all up to
join the priesthood.
David Barrins, 32, from Collooney in Co Sligo,
turned his back on the lifestyle at the height of the excess in 2005 and
took a vow of poverty to become a Dominican – a member of the Order of
Preachers (OP).
Speaking before his ordination yesterday, Fr Barrins OP
said he hopes his life experience will help him relate to people as he
begins his ministry as a priest.
"I’ve seen what it’s like to face choices, to earn money, to pay bills, and to pay the mortgage," he said.
"My brothers in the order come from a variety of backgrounds too –
from bankers to pharmacists. It helps us to relate to people. It gives
us an ability to speak about the world we have come from, and to the
world."
Fr Barrins graduated from college with a finance
degree and began working for AIB in the international banking sector in
Dublin. He traded currency on the global money markets, specialising in
Japanese yen but despite the salary and perks, he said something was
missing from his life.
"It wasn’t satisfying on a deeper level. I had money, but it didn’t give me the freedom I wanted," he said.
He first felt the "call of God" while serving as an altar boy in
Sligo, but he said he was reluctant to discuss with friends his urge to
become a priest. He said he wanted to continue working, to marry and
have kids, but felt the call was there.
"I said I’ll have to either ignore it, or give in and give it a go," he said.
He joined the Dominicans’ novitiate and took vows of poverty,
obedience and celibacy, and said as the years passed, he grew "happier
and happier".
As Brother Barrins, he was appointed the order’s director of youth ministry.
And yesterday he was ordained a priest by Bishop of Cork and Ross,
Most Reverend Dr John Buckley, at a ceremony in St Mary’s Dominican
Church on Pope’s Quay, Cork.
He was joined by his proud
parents, Christopher and Celine, and his siblings, Peter, Rory and
Tracy, relations and friends.
He is the third Dominican priest to be
ordained in Ireland this year.
SIC: IE/IE