Bishop Duffy celebrates 50 years of priesthood

St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan, was packed to capacity yesterday afternoon (June 14) for the Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the golden jubilee of the Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy.

A native of Magheracloone, Bishop Duffy was ordained a priest on June 13, 1976 by the then Bishop of Clogher, Dr Patrick Mulligan, alongside Fr Michael Daly, now PP of Donaghmoyne and the late Archbishop Noel Treanor from Tyholland.

Archbishop Treanor was later Bishop of Down and Connor and Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Bishop Duffy offered Sunday’s Mass for the soul of Archbishop Treanor and his family.

The main concelebrants of the mass alongside Bishop Duffy were Fr Michael Daly and Monsignor La Flynn, Prior of Lough Derg, who was also ordained in July 1976.

Before the beginning of the mass, a range of symbols were brought to the sanctuary area, representing different aspects of both diocesan life and the interests of Bishop Duffy.

The homily was delivered by Fr Michael Daly PP, Donaghmoyne, a classmate of Bishop Duffy both at the Patrician High School in Carrickmacross from 1965 and also throughout their studies at St Patrick’s College.

They also served together for two years in Castleblayney in the late 1970s.

Fr Daly recounted Bishop Duffy’s priestly journey around the various parishes of the diocese. In each of these, his ability to connect with people and to accompany them in the various joyful and sad moments of life was highlighted as a distinct aspect of his priestly ministry.

Above all, Fr Daly emphasised Bishop Larry’s humble service lived out through a deep commitment to faith and to the priesthood. He always gave expression to that faithful service by responding to people’s needs through actions rooted in the Gospel. Also, his many deep friendships over the years in the various parishes were something special to him.

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