Diocesan News
Cork and Ross Diocese 2025 - watch the video
A zip-through in images of some of the highlights of the life of the diocese in 2025
Schools … Parishes … Rome … Music and song … Prayer … Listening … Discernment … Meetings … Processions …Lourdes Pilgrimage … Holy Week … Youth Ministry … and much more.
Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced that two priests will take a sabbatical in the new year and will be replaced by priests who are on load to the diocese.
Sabbatical leave is ongoing formation for a priest and often involves an experience of ministry in a different environment.
Fr Pat McCarthy will complete his time as Chaplain at the Mercy University Hospital on the 1st January. He will be replaced by Fr Vineesh Ulahannan who will begin his appointment on the same day. Fr McCarthy will begin a period of sabbatical leave taking up a new appointment this summer.
Fr Bernard Cotter, Co-Parish Priest in Aughadown, Castlehaven and Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen Family of Parishes will be on sabbatical leave from early January for a six-month period. Fr Kevin Hanley OFM Conv. will serve as a curate pro-tem in the Aughadown, Castlehaven and Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen Family of Parishes from early January 2026 for a six-month period.
Bishop Fintan is grateful to Fr Vineesh and Fr Kevin for their generosity in taking up these new appointments.
"It is there, in the midst of ordinary, lived experiences, that God chooses to meet us."
Cork's two bishops — Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic — together invite Cork people to a deeper appreciation of Christmas.
This is their joint Christmas message.
As bishops serving the people of Cork, we send our warmest Christmas greetings to all who live in our city and county — to people of faith, and to all people of goodwill.
Each year, when we sit at the Christmas table, whether on our own, with family, friends, or a neighbour, we bring with us all that the year has held. We bring our joys: a new birth or marriage, the seeds of a new relationship or friendship, the courage to take a new step in life, or the quiet relief of finding peace after a challenge or entering a new stage in life.
Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop Fintan Gavin
Our Lectio Divina resource for week 4 of Advent is now available to download
Listening for God’s promise drawing near in Emmanuel
As we journey through the Fourth Week of Advent, the Church draws us into the final, intimate moments of waiting as God’s promise comes to fulfilment. We begin reflecting on Joseph’s quiet obedience on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, which makes space for Emmanuel, God-with-us. In the days that follow, the Gospel lead us deeper into the joy and wonder unfolding at the threshold of Jesus’ birth: Mary’s Magnificat proclaims God’s faithfulness; the birth of John the Baptist reveals a people awakening to God’s saving work; and Zechariah’s song gives voice to hope fulfilled and light breaking into darkness. A Closing Reflection for Advent invites us to gather these moments of waiting and trust, preparing us to celebrate Christmas Day, where we rejoice in Emmanuel: God’s Promise Fulfilled.
Through prayerful listening and reflection, we are invited to welcome Jesus anew into our hearts and our world.
Our Lectio Divina resource for Week 4 of Advent is now available to download here.
Waiting in Hope: Week 4 - Listening for God’s promise drawing near in Emmanuel
Fr Bernard Cotter with The Under the Ambo Book
Fr Bernard Cotter, Co-PP of Aughadown, Castlehaven & Myross, Kilmacabea, Rath and the Islands and Skibbereen, has announced the publication of a new book, The Under the Ambo Book, a practical liturgical resource designed for Sundays and feast days in Year A of the Church’s calendar.
The title is inspired by a familiar and often overlooked space in many churches: the area beneath the ambo. Commonly used to store liturgical texts, prayer books, and everyday essentials, the space has become a shared and accessible resource for all who minister during worship. Fr Bernard hopes his new book will find a natural home there, readily available to anyone involved in leading or assisting at liturgical celebrations.
The Under the Ambo Book is intended for wide use, particularly by lay ministers, priests, deacons, and others who help to lead or preside at services. The book offers practical support for a variety of moments within the liturgy, including opening comments, introductions to penitential rites, brief summaries of Sunday readings, bidding prayers, and ideas for liturgy groups preparing weekly celebrations.
The book is published by Amazon and available on their website either in hardback, paperback or on Kindle versions