Bishop can only do half of confirmations

For the first time in the Derry Diocese, around half of the confirmation ceremonies will not be carried out by a Bishop.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Feb 2016, 09:06 BST
Updated 26th Feb 2016, 10:44 BST
Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown.Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown.
Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown.

This year, for the first time ever parish priests have been given the authority to confer the sacrament on primary seven pupils.

Father Michael Canny, media spokesman for the diocese told the ‘Journal’ that each year there were around 60 confirmation ceremonies.

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He explained that Bishop Edward Daly is no longer doing any confirmation ceremonies and Bishop Lagan is only doing a very small number.

“Bishop McKeown has decided that he will do about 30 and that the Parish Priest/Adm will celebrate the ceremony in the other parishes this year.

“The parishes that have their PP/Adm this year will have Bishop McKeown next year.”

It’s understood that some parishes in the city who do not have a parish priest have invited a parish priests from another diocese to celebrate the sacrament, including Monsignor Bryan McCanny from Limavady.

Last week Father Paul Farren from St Eugene’s Cathedral celebrated the confirmation ceremonies for Rosemount P.S. and the Model Primary School.

Arounf 60 ceremonies are due to take place this year.