Dominican friar returns to medical frontline

Dominican friar returns to medical frontline Bro. Chris Gault OP in doctor’s scrubs back in frontline medical action. Photo: Mal McCann

While many priests and religious are in the frontline comforting and consoling those suffering from coronavirus and their loved ones, an Irish Dominican friar who is a trained doctor is back treating patients with Covid-19.

Bro. Chris Gault OP, who has been studying for the priesthood with the Dominicans, has returned to his native Belfast and donned surgical scrubs to be part of the fight against the virus in the Mater Hospital where he was once a junior doctor.

Having graduated from Queen’s University in 2013, and then completed foundation training, the 30-year-old had left this life behind when he decided to answer a call to enter the priesthood.

“I talked to my superiors and they were happy and encouraging,” he said.

“I just volunteered. The trust and the health service is undergoing a lot of change. They are adapting to a lot of change in these current circumstances.

“I never wavered and once the backing came, I was happy to go for it,” he said.