Two deacons ordained in Cork yesterday

Mon, 31 Aug, 2020 - 10:57

Amy Nolan

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the ordination services were held separately with strict limits on attendance.

Patrick Gerrard Culleton was ordained in Saint Peter's Church in Bandon yesterday morning whilst Sabrina Ann Cooke was ordained in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in the afternoon.

At the request of the Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, who is recovering from surgery following an accident, the ordinations were conducted by the Right Reverend Dr Richard Clarke, former Archbishop of Armagh who, in retirement, now lives in Cork.

Pictured are, the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, former Archbishop of Armagh and Patrick Culleton, newly ordained Deacon, at The Ordination of Deacons by the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, at the request of The Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, at Saint Peter's Church, Bandon, Co. Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The newly ordained deacons had been serving as licensed readers within the Diocese, and Rev Pat Culleton had also been working as a local lay minister in pastoral work.

Following his ordination, the Reverend Pat Culleton said:

"What a privilege it is to be ordained in the winter of my life!"

Rev Culleton (73) originally hails from Wexford.

He served in the Irish Army and worked with Cork County Council until his retirement in 2011.

He will serve in the Ordained Local Ministry in the Bandon Union of Parishes.

Following her ordination, the Reverend Sabrina Cooke said she was grateful to be called to ministry.

"I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to use the gifts he has given me to serve others," she continued.

Pictured is Sabrina Cooke, newly ordained Deacon, at The Ordination of Deacons by the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, at the request of The Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, at Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Rev Cooke (40) is originally from Tipperary and holds a Professional Certificate in Ministry from the University of Chester, as well as both a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and a Degree in Language and Cultural Studies: German and Philosophy from University College Cork.

She spent two years in Germany, Aachen and Bochum, and speaks French and German.

She is the mother of two children Alexander, 9 and Helena, 7.

Having completed her third year in a Masters of Theology at Trinity College, Dublin, Rev Cooke is now entering her final year of training for full-time stipendiary ministry and will serve in an internship under the Very Rev Susan Green, Dean of Cloyne in Cloyne Union of Parishes.