A NEWLY ordained priest is hoping his life experience as a husband, father and grandfather will give him a greater understanding of his parishioners.
Limerick widower Fr John O’Byrne was ordained at St John’s Cathedral in Limerick yesterday by Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dermot Clifford, who is also apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne.
Family and friends surrounded the 67-year-old for the ordination, the first in the Limerick diocese since June 2009. More than 50 priests and deacons took part in the ceremony, which featured hymns in English, Latin and Irish.
After he was ordained, Fr O’Byrne, who was married for 35 years, remembered his wife Martha, who died in April 2004 following a short illness.
His children John and Mary gave readings, while his granddaughters Kate, Rachel and Amy also took part in the ceremony.
Speaking about his late vocation, Fr O’Byrne, who lives in Janesboro in Limerick city, said he brought a great deal of life experience to the priesthood.
He said his family and his late wife’s family were extremely supportive of his decision, and he had received “nothing but support” from parishioners and the people of the diocese he meets when he travels to Lourdes as a volunteer on the annual pilgrimage.
It was on one such trip after his wife’s death that he decided to pursue his calling. His ordination followed four years of study at a seminary for mature vocations in Rome. “I think I have a lot to offer – at least I hope I have,” he said. “And my married life experience has to stand to me. My working life experience, having a family, having experienced the difficulties that people encounter with mortgages, rearing children, married life itself . . . I would hope I would have a compassionate understanding for people.” Before his studies Fr O’Byrne worked for Irish Cement for 43 years, where he was an active trade unionist.
He admits it was a difficult time for the Catholic Church, and said he was deeply saddened by the Cloyne report. “I don’t think there is any sane-minded person who could condone that. Having said that, the church has to move on and trust in almighty God. The church has come through some severe crisis in every age. And I’m sure with the help of God they’ll come through this.”
He said the church would move forward when it addressed its problems but said he was not in a position to comment further.
Fr O’Byrne will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Limerick at 7pm today.