Just over a year on from the publication of the Cloyne Report, the Co Cork diocese is celebrating the ordination of 26-year-old Damien Lynch by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, at St Gobnait’s Church in Ballyvourney, last Sunday.The newly ordained priest, who joined the seminary straight from school, celebrated his first Mass on Monday at 7:00pm in his native Séipéal Chúil Aodha, in the Gaeltacht area of West Cork.
Born in May 1986, Fr Damien is the only son of Gerard and Nora Lynch. He attended Scoil Chúil Aodha, the local primary school, and received his second level education at Coláiste Ghobnatan, Ballyvourney.
After completing his Leaving Certificate in 2004, he began his studies for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
He told the local Corkman newspaper last January, following his ordination as a deacon, that he never had any doubts about the path he wished to follow.
“I grew up in a very faith-based atmosphere at home and from a very young age it was always my ambition to join the priesthood. Entering the seminary was always the obvious choice for me when I left school,” he said.
"Certainly I have no regrets. I am very lucky to be able to say that I am doing something I have always wanted to do. A great many people are never given that gift," he added.
In 2007, Damien graduated from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Nua-Ghaeilge. He has just completed his studies in Theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and will graduate with a Baccalaureate in Divinity from the Pontifical University this coming November.
During his time in the seminary, Damien undertook various pastoral placements, including substantial periods in the parishes of Newbridge, Co Kildare and in Mallow, Co Cork.
He was ordained to the Diaconate on Sunday January 29 2012 in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, by Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Apostolic Administrator of Cloyne.
The Diocese of Cloyne has 46 parishes and covers east, north and mid Cork. It has two other men training for priesthood, with a third beginning studies in September.
Anyone interested in applying to study for the priesthood in Cloyne should contact their local priest or Fr Patrick Relihan, Director of Vocations, at (024) 92456.