Garda joins soul patrol: Two Deacons ordained at Waterford city’s Cathedral
Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Phonsie Cullinan and newly ordained Deacon/Garda Eric O'Sullivan. Photo: An Garda Síochána Waterford Facebook page
Garda Eric O'Sullivan attached to Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit was ordained a Deacon on Sunday November 2, at Waterford Cathedral.
Eric is originally from Waterford City and resides with his family in the parish of Newtown, Kilmacthomas, in County Waterford.
He was proudly supported by his wife and children as he became the only ordained Deacon in the force.
Two Deacons were ordained on the day.
Fianna Fail Cllr. Jason Murphy also attended the event as his cousin, Brian Hoffman also got ordained on the day.
Speaking to Waterford News and Star, Cllr. Murphy said:
“Eric, in the context of Deacons and Priests, is a young man, which is great to see.”
Cllr. Murphy also said that the ordination of two Deacons is good news for the Catholic Church, which has been struggling with staff shortages for the past number of years.
“A lot of the parish priests have a huge workload with many of the parishes now having to amalgamate to cover all the grounds”
“It’s great to see new blood.”
“The key to it is that you can do it [ become a Deacon] as a married man.”
“Deacons can take the pressure off the priests by performing a number of duties, even if they can’t say mass.”
“It’ll help the full-time priests.”
“I don’t know the man personally, but it shows he’s a man of faith and probably a man of high moral standing, he wants to give back to his community as well.
“I’m delighted to see a member of An Garda Siochana become a Deacon.”
Although Cllr. Murphy doesn't know Garda O'Sullivan, he still holds him in high esteem.
He told the Waterford News & Star: “I don’t know the man personally, but it shows he’s a man of faith and probably a man of high moral standing, he wants to give back to his community as well.
“I’m delighted to see a member of An Garda Siochána become a Deacon.”
Cllr Murphy said that he knew from his cousin that it’s not easy to become a Deacon. He said there is, “a lot in it”. And that his cousin had been studying, “for quite a long time”.
“It wasn’t easy, there’s a huge amount of study in relation to theology. It’s an intense four or five years.”
“I’m sure Garda O’Sullivan had a lot on his plate doing this as well as being a Guard.
“I wish him all the best. His family, as well as An Garda Siochána, must be very proud.”
Indeed, the An Garda Siochána Waterford Facebook page wished Garda O'Sullivan all the best.
