Galway diocese to celebrate ordination of Declan Lohan next Sunday

by | 18 Jul, 2017 | News

Declan Lohan from the Coast Road in Oranmore is to be ordained to the priesthood, for service in his home diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, on Sunday 23 July in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Oranmore, Co Galway.

This is the first time that an ordination has taken place in the parish of Oranmore.

Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry Diocese, who is a native of Craughwell, has been invited to be the principal celebrant. Canon Michael McLoughlin, the Diocesan Administrator, together with approximately sixty priests will also participate.

Declan Lohan is the son of Matt and Mary Lohan, from the Coast Road in Oranmore. The family runs a woodwork and joinery company at Carnmore.

Declan attended Scoil Iósaif Naofa Primary School and Calasanctius College in Oranmore. Immediately after secondary school Declan attended NUI, Galway, completing degrees in both Arts and Law.

After a gap year teaching English in China Declan studied law at King’s Inns, Dublin and qualified as a barrister in 2008, going on to practice in both criminal and civil law at the Four Courts in Dublin and on the Western Circuit.

In his spare time prior to entering seminary Declan worked as a volunteer with the Legion of Mary and with Youth 2000 in Dublin, Galway and on missions in England and France.

Declan began his training for the priesthood in 2007 in Toulon, France, returning to complete his studies at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Declan gives much of the credit for his vocation to the witness and example of many significant people he has encountered in his life including his family,  his teachers, his neighbours and his friends. Speaking ahead of his ordination, Declan said, “God put many good, virtuous, prayerful people in my path. They have helped me to know God and choosing the path to priesthood has made me deeply happy.”

Canon Michael McLoughlin, the Diocesan Administrator, said, “This is a hugely important day for Declan, for his family, for Oranmore, for the Diocese and for the Church. We rejoice and we are glad. I pray that Declan will find joy and fulfillment in the service of God and the service of the people of God. I ask that they would embrace him, make him welcome and keep him in their prayers.”

The newly ordained Father Declan will offer his First Mass in Oranmore Church on Monday 24 July at 7.00pm. After his ordination Father Declan will await his first appointment as a priest of the diocese, which will be taken up in mid-August.

ENDS

 

 

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