Fr Pontianus Jafla talks to Kieran O’Mahony about parish life, GAA, and all things ploughing

IT was while studying for a Masters Degree followed by a PhD in Sociology at UCC that Fr Pontianus Jafla – or Dr Pontianus Jafla following his recent conferring –  began assisting at both St Augustine’s Church on Washington Street in Cork city and in Passage West.

‘It was beautiful to celebrate mass at both churches but I remember being told that the morning mass at St Augustine’s was about 20 minutes, which I thought was very short as I’m more used of longer masses,’ he quipped.

The 46-year-old has been living in Kilbrittain since July of last year and is one of five priests in the family of parishes which covers Kilbrittain, Bandon, Murragh & Templemartin, Enniskeane and Innishannon. He has been studying in Ireland since 2018 and began his PhD in 2020.

Having received a scholarship from the Nigerian Federal Government as a result of his primary degree in Sociology, he had the opportunity to study abroad at a university of his choice.

‘I had been looking at a few countries but then picked on Cork city and the course module for my Masters at UCC also suited me,’ he explained. 

‘I finished my draft PhD in 2023 after three years and I felt I could contribute to the life of a community in Cork now that I was finished with the major work of my dissertation.’

Fr Pontianus made contact with Bishop Fintan Gavin to see if he could be of assistance and was initially assigned to the Mayfield parish in Cork city for one year.

‘That was supposed to be the end of my contract but then Kilbrittain’s parish priest Fr Jerry Cremin had an unfortunate fall so Bishop Gavin asked me if I was willing to come to the countryside and help out with the parish there.’

The affable priest joked that the bishop never told him where he was going and he didn’t even know where Kilbrittain was. He was told by one colleague that it was ‘in the middle of nowhere’.

‘I moved into the parochial house in Kilbrittain on my own to help out with the family of parishes. I really enjoy going out to the other churches too and meeting new people.’

He admits his plan was to hand in his PhD and go back home but he is happy where he is now.

‘I was driven down to the village by Fr John Newman and it was certainly way smaller than I imagined. I was asking him where the city centre was. But once I began meeting the people It was completely different. It’s a small community, who are united and support each other and they have a high regard for their faith. I didn’t struggle to integrate or settle and within a week I felt at home.’

He was particularly impressed by some parishioners who dropped off eggs, apple tarts and even frozen chickens at the parochial house.

Kilbrittain ploughing committee, competitors and Fr Pontianus Jafla of Kilbrittain parish at the Kilbrittain 41st annual ploughing match which was the first event of the 2025/2026 season in the Cork West region and was held on the lands of Kieran and Theresa Crowley, Bawnea, Kilbrittain.(Photo: David Patterson)

‘It was probably quite challenging as they would have been used to Fr Cremin’s personality and there was no way I could live up to him. I told myself that there is only one Fr Cremin. I visited him recently in Macroom and he was very helpful giving me tips too.’

A big fan of soccer and a supporter of Chelsea, he quickly found himself playing  with some of the local Kilbrittain lads from the parish every Thursday night on the Astro turf pitch.

He has even tried out playing Gaelic football and managed to score his first goal and enjoyed the experience.

The continuing success of the Kilbrittain junior hurlers saw him  bring all the team up on the altar one Sunday morning during mass in order to give thanks for their success, when they won the Premier County final last month against
Glen Rovers.

‘I know most of the team from soccer and I asked the chairman of the club if we could bring the team and the cup to mass as a form of thanksgiving. It was a lovely occasion having them all up in the altar at 10.30am mass.’

He was recently conferred with his PhD at UCC which was a special occasion for him too as his sister, Lovline attended the graduation.

‘I’m supervising undergraduates now in UCC who are completing their theses and I check in with their work. It’s a very peaceful parish so I can balance my two commitments.’

Travelling to the other parishes at weekends is enjoyable for him too and he enjoys meeting new people. 

He recently said a prayer at a ploughing match, something he hadn’t been to before and he even made the front page of The Southern Star.

‘What’s great about Kilbrittain is that everyone knows everyone. I know at the end of the day it’s God’s will and I will go where I am needed.’

For now, he has immersed himself in parish life and will no doubt be cheering the black and amber as they take on Wexford’s Davidstown Courtnacuddy in the AIB All-Ireland Club Junior Hurling Championship Semi-Final in Clonmel on Saturday December 20th.