Drimnagh native ordained Auxiliary Bishop

DRIMNAGH native Fr Donal Roche was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin at a ceremony in St Andrew’s Parish Church on Westland Row last Sunday, May 26.

He is a well-known figure in Dublin, particularly in the south of the city, having spent eight years as a chaplain in St Mark’s Community School in Springfield, Tallaght.

Bishop Roche also spent seven years as a parish priest in Lucan South, which was his first appointment after he was ordained into the priesthood in 1986 in his home parish, Mourne Road.

At his ordination into the bishophood on Sunday, Bishop Roche reflected on his path to his latest calling within the church.

“I am quite overwhelmed and feel undeserving of the honour that has been bestowed on me,” said Bishop Roche.

“I thank my priest friends and colleagues from the diocese and from all over the country for your support and encouragement.

“But most of all I want to thank you, my family, friends and parishioners from all the various appointments I have had on the way to this day.

“They say that when you are dying, your life flashes before your eyes.

“It feels a little like that today to see people from every stage of my life assembled here together: brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, in-laws and cousins; friends from my schooldays, and friends I have made along the way – from schools in Coolock and Tallaght, parishes of Lucan South, Wicklow and Cabinteely; friends made during many summers in Donegal, and various others who were part of my journey.

“I am thankful for all the conversations and celebrations, the breaking of bread in various kitchens and dining rooms as well as sharing at the table of the Eucharist in so many places and on so many occasions.

“I have been greatly enriched by all these encounters and I thank you all sincerely for the great blessing you have been in my life.

“I am very thankful to my late parents, for all they have given me, but particularly for the gift of faith.”

The service, which was led by Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, also included the welcoming of Bishop Paul Dempsey as Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin.

“My hope is to remain faithful to the Gospel myself and continue to preach it to the best of my ability,” said Bishop Roche in his address at his ordination.

“I hope that, with Bishop Paul, I will be a support to Archbishop Farrell and to the priests of the diocese as we plan for a future that is going to look very different from the church into which we were originally ordained.

“I hope to be a source of hope and encouragement to the faithful of the diocese who are living out their baptismal calling in parishes throughout the diocese.

“And I hope to be able to make connections with young people who are open to the call of God, those who are seeking faith, those who may be disillusioned or hurt or wounded.”