Blackpool native ordained Bishop of Meath

A CORK priest has officially been ordained as the new Bishop of Meath, following a Mass of Ordination on Sunday afternoon.

Bishop Tom Deenihan had previously served as parish priest in communities across Cork including Bantry, Kealkil and Glanmire.

He was born in Blackpool in 1967 and attended the North Monastery Christian Brothers School.

After completing post-primary education, he studied in the national seminary of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

He has ordained a deacon in April 1990 before being ordained to the priesthood just over a year later.

In 2003, Bishop Buckley of Cork & Ross appointed him as Diocesan Advisor for Post-Primary Catechetics and, in 2006, as Diocesan Secretary and Diocesan Education Secretary.

Speaking in Meath yesterday, now Bishop Deenihan said this summer has been remarkable.

He thanked his family and friends for their support, and also former colleagues, including Bishop Buckley.

“I enjoyed my time in the Cork and Ross presbyterate and appreciated the friendship and kindness that I experienced there,” added Bishop Deenihan.

“I have been fortunate in my parochial appointments — I spent much of my time attached to the vocational school and parish of Bantry and Kealkil.

“There I encountered a faith community and friends that were supportive, appreciative and had a healthy mixture of faith and wit,” he added.

“Until last June, It was my hope to finish there as Parish Priest.

“I particularly appreciated the friendship and hospitality I experienced there over the years and to the present in Bantry and Kealkil from former parishioners, friends, school colleagues and past pupils.

“A new chapter begins for me and, I suppose for the Diocese today,” concluded Bishop Deenihan.