Dundalk man Damien ordained a deacon

Damien Quigley with his parents Majella and Tommy

A local man was one of nine ordained as a deacon in Maynooth on Sunday.

Damien Quigley from Cedarwood Park in Cox’s Demesne and a member of the Parish of the Holy Redeemer joined the seminary in Maynooth in 2010.

A former student of Coláiste Rís, Damien studied in both Dundalk IT and Queen’s University where he graduated with a degree in science.

He then went on to work for Tesco for 12 years where he reached a senior management position, overseeing a number of stores in the South Dublin area.

A love of the church prompted the now 40-year-old to seek to join the priesthood though.

Damien is the youngest son of Tommy and Majella ‘Solo’ Quigley and was the only member of the Armagh archdiocese to be ordained at the weekend by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

Ordination as a transitional deacon takes place one year before ordination to priesthood. As well as his family and friends, amongst those supporting Damien at the weekend was fellow local man, Barry Matthews, who is due to be ordained a deacon next year.

The nine deacons are from the dioceses of Armagh, Clogher, Cork & Ross, Derry, Down & Connor, Galway (2), and Meath (2).

They will continue their priestly formation in Maynooth for the next year.

As a deacon, the nine will be able to do almost all that a priest does with the exception of saying Mass and hearing Confession.

A deacon may proclaim the gospel, preach, preside over public prayer, baptise, assist at marriages and bless them, give viaticum to the dying, and lead the rites of burial.

Damien Quigley supported by his family and friends at his ordination on Sunday

Local man creates history by becoming one of the first married deacons in Ireland

Ben with Cardinal Brady

A man from St Patrick’s Parish in Dundalk made history over the weekend when he became one of the first married men to be ordained a deacon in the ancient see of St Patrick.

Benignus Ndubuisi was one of five welcomed into the ministry by Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Dr Eamon Martin at the weekend, with the latter describing the five as “bridge builders between the laity, priests and bishops.”

Benignus has been study for the post for the past five years and from now on will be referred to as ‘Rev Mr’.

He, along with Drogheda’s John Taaffe, Drumcree’s Martin Barlow, Cookstown’s Andy Hegarty and Tralee’s David Durrigan, will serve on a part-time basis in their appointed parishes, assisting with baptisms and funerals at the weekends and some administrative duties during the week.

Deacons cannot celebrate Mass or hear confessions though.

A health care worker by trade, Ben is married to Celestina and has four children.