Two Irishmen ordained deacon after serving Mass for Pope Francis

Two Irish seminarians at the Pontifical College in Rome have been ordained as deacons this week, after serving for Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil in St Peter’s Basilica.

Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry ordained Rev. Malachy Gallagher (32) from Coleraine, Co. Derry and Rev. Bill O’Shaughnessy (28) from Castledermot, Co. Kildare at the Basilica of San Marco al Campidoglio, Rome on Tuesday.

In his homily, Bishop McKeown urged the two deacons “to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches – and especially to the churches of Dublin and Derry. The temptation for Church in modern Ireland is to retreat behind ramparts of self-righteousness and fear. That is where many would like us to be, roaring from behind the walls but talking only to ourselves. The Irish Church is being renewed, not so much to fit in with contemporary culture as to stand out from it.”

Proud

Eleven seminarians at the Irish College were invited to serve at the Vatican’s Easter Vigil on Saturday and the Director of Formation, Fr Hugh Clifford said they did “an excellent job” and “we were very proud”.

“They were thrilled,” he said. “They got to meet the Pope beforehand in the sacristy where he chatted and took an interest in their personal lives. Some asked him for prayers and he very sincerely took their intentions to heart and asked for the names of those to be prayed for.”

Tony Shannon, a second year seminarian from Summerhill, Co. Meath said it was “quite an honour and a very unique experience”. “Pope Francis met us very briefly and he greeted everyone. It was very intimate and he even joked about taking a selfie. He was a very pleasant, charming person, and I was struck by his openness and ease with people.”