Three newly ordained Catholic priests, including an American and a Polish cleric, are preparing to take up service in the Archdiocese of Armagh.
The trio were ordained in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, on Saturday, being welcomed to the priesthood by Archbishop and Primate of all-Ireland, Eamon Martin.
Fr Paul O’Reilly, from Cork, was ordained as a deacon in 2018, while Fr Gabriel Neal, from California, and Fr Jacek Tuszkiewicz, from Poland, were ordained as transitional deacons last year.
Speaking ahead of the ordination, Archbishop Eamon Martin said: “We here in the Archdiocese of Armagh feel a deep sense of joy and thanks as we prepare for the ordination of these three men to the priesthood.
“I give thanks for their generous ‘yes’ to God’s call, and my hope is that they will have many years of fulfilment in serving God’s people here in the Archdiocese of Armagh.”
He said Saturday’s celebration “will bring to twelve the number of priestly ordinations for the Archdiocese of Armagh in recent years”.
“At a time when the Church in Ireland continues to face many pastoral challenges, these ordinations are a moment of encouragement and hope for the Archdiocese,” the Archbishop said.
“Deacon Gabriel Neal comes from the United States, Deacon Jacek Tuszkiewicz from Poland, and Deacon Paul O’Reilly from Cork.
“Their ordination reflects the increasingly international character of priesthood in the Archdiocese of Armagh, where priests from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and pastoral experiences now serve local parish communities.
“Their presence is also a reminder of the universal nature of the Catholic Church and of the generosity of those who offer their lives in priestly service, often far from home and family.
“The Archdiocese also acknowledges the importance of its sustained investment in priestly formation, including through Redemptorist Mater Seminary and formation community in Dundalk, where those discerning priesthood have been accompanied through prayer, study, pastoral experience and human formation.
“I humbly ask the faithful of the Archdiocese to keep Gabriel, Jacek and Paul in prayer as they prepare for ordination, along with their families, friends, formators, parish communities and all who have supported them in their vocation. May God bless their ministry.”