On Sunday, 26 April, Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry marked 25 years of episcopal ministry with a Jubilee Mass at Saint Eugene’s Cathedral, reflecting on a vocation shaped by service, challenge and hope.
Addressing clergy, civic leaders and parishioners, he spoke of what has sustained him over the years: a lived faith rooted not in self-sufficiency but in responding to God’s call.
“We find our identity by being called beyond our lonely little world,” he said, contrasting the Gospel vision with a culture centred on individual choice.
The bishop highlighted the importance of parish life and shared leadership, describing ministry as an act of service grounded in listening and discernment.
Emphasising collaboration, he noted that “none of us is as smart as all of us,” encouraging communities to move forward together with confidence.
While acknowledging the difficulties faced by the Church in recent decades, Bishop McKeown pointed to signs of renewal, particularly among young people searching for meaning beyond consumerism.
Marking the milestone, he invited the faithful to embrace a future shaped by healing, hope and companionship, asking whether they are ready to respond to the call of the Good Shepherd with courage and trust.