One of Ireland’s first permanent deacons has been appointed to run the new National Vocations Office, which officially opens on July 1. Rev. Eric Cooney, who was ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Dublin in 2012, will act as administrator of the new office.
The office, which will be based in Maynooth’s Columba Centre, will coordinate the national vocations strategy, helping and providing training for vocations directors in each diocese and encouraging vocations initiatives, with a focus on promoting vocations to the priesthood.
Promotion
Among Rev. Cooney’s duties will be assisting the Diocesan Vocations Coordinator in working with the country’s regional groups and with other agencies involved in vocational promotion.
A 60-year-old married father to two adult children, who has worked with a payment services company, Rev. Cooney founded Monkstown’s parish folk group and has been involved in the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Parish Development and Renewal Group.