Former farm manager swaps one flock for another upon ordination

A former farm manager will be tending to new flocks after becoming the first Catholic priest ordained in the Diocese of Cork and Ross for two years.

Rev Sean Crowley was ordained by Bishop John Buckley in his home parish of Enniskeane in West Cork on Saturday afternoon.

Watched by his proud parents, John and Mary Tim Crowley, he became the first priest on record to have been ordained in the parish. 

After his education in a local primary school, Sean attended the former diocesan college at St Finbarr’s College, Farranferris, in Cork City. But after spending time in college and then travelling, he spent his early working life as a farm manager, working on farms across Co Cork. 

He entered St Patrick’s College in Maynooth in 2006 and was ordained a deacon just over a year ago.

At Saturday’s ordination in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Buckley congratulated Fr Sean, his parents, family, and the people of the parish on the ordination. 

He also expressed a hope that others would follow in responding to a vocation to priesthood in the diocese, which had no ordinations to the priesthood last year.

However, six deacons have been ordained in the diocese so far this year, according to a diocesan spokesperson.

Most recently, Ben Hodnett from the Cathedral parish on the northside of Cork City was ordained a deacon last month and is expected to be ordained a priest next year.

The ordination on Saturday was marked by the people of the parish, who have been preparing for the ceremony for some time.