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Rathbarry's Joseph inspires new Bishop

July 7th, 2019 6:25 PM

By Southern Star Team

Joseph O'Sullivan (12) from Rathbarry with Bishop Fintan Gavin, his parents Niall and Kathleen O'Sullivan and his sister Sarah Marie, at the Bishop's ordination in Cork. (Photo: Brian Lougheed)

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The new Bishop of Cork and Ross has said he was really inspired by a letter he got from a young West Cork boy. 

BY EMMA CONNOLLY 

 

THE new Bishop of Cork and Ross has said he was really inspired by a letter he got from a young West Cork boy. 

Speaking to a packed congregation at his ordination ceremony last Sunday, Bishop Fintan Gavin singled out Joseph O’Sullivan from Rathbarry for a special mention.  Joseph, who will turn 13 next week, wrote a letter to Fr Gavin to welcome him to the area. He wrote: ‘Even though you’re a Dub, hopefully, you’ll shout for Cork.’

The youngster likes music and singing and he thinks ‘it’s cool that the new Bishop does as well.’

His mum Kathleen said that Joseph feels that as a young Bishop, Monsignor Gavin will have a greater understanding of young people, will have new ideas and will reach out to everyone. 

He told the now Bishop that he chose the name Martin as his Confirmation name and that his Nana Maureen (O’Sullivan), his godmother, was to be his sponsor. 

Having received the letter, the then Bishop-elect issued a special invite to Joseph, mum Kathleen, dad Niall and sister Sarah Marie to attend the ordination in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne in Cork city.

Joseph said: ‘It was a very special and memorable day for everybody and I was delighted to be there.’ Kathleen added that they were ‘stunned’ to hear Joseph mentioned from the altar.  ‘The Bishop was charmed to think that he was so welcome to West Cork,’ she said. 

Meanwhile, Bishop Gavin is to attend two Masses in Skibbereen on Sunday, and meet the public afterwards.

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