An outpouring of affection among young people in the diocese of Limerick for the priest who runs its youth ministry has seen nearly 1,400 of them sign a petition in a bid to prevent Fr Chris O’Donnell moving to Dublin.
A flurry of tweets have also been sent to the Pope’s twitter account @pontifex appealing to the Pontiff to allow Limerick’s youngsters #keepourhero.
The petition on behalf of the coordinator of Limerick’s youth ministry describes Fr O’Donnell as “known for bringing different branches and sections of the youth together in the most amazing and multiple ways!” It adds, “Limerick cannot afford to lose this amazing man."
Forty-three year-old Fr Chris O’Donnell has been asked by Bishop Brendan Leahy to become part of the team at the bishops’ publisher Veritas which will produce a text for 6th class in the ‘Grow in Love’ religious education series.
Speaking to The Tablet, the former primary school teacher said he had worked with young people for over 11 years and had a great affection for them and felt their social media campaign was an indication of their affection for him.
@Pontifex please stop our favourite priest from being relocated, he is an inspiration to all the youth in Limerick #keepourhero
— Claire Holland (@clairemholland) June 29, 2017
However, he stressed that he will continue to work with young people at Bishop Brendan Leahy’s request. But his involvement with the Veritas publication will necessitate spending part of the next 12 months in Dublin on a full-time basis.
The remainder of the time he will be working on a part-time basis and will be able to continue his involvement with youth ministry.
He described the Grow in Love series as “an important body of work that influences young people – even more young people than just those in our diocese”.
Of the campaign to #keepourhero, Fr O’Donnell said he believed the youngsters were learning what priesthood is about.
“It is just the nature of our job that you are never anywhere indefinitely. The bishop and the diocese and the Church discern where gifts might be needed and deployed at any given time and priests have to be open to that and follow the Spirit.”
He hopes to return full-time to Limerick by July next year.
PICTURE: Fr Chris O'Donnell (right) pictured with Fr Gerard O’Grady, both from St Michael's parish, at the Limerick Synod ©Limerick Synod Gallery
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