Father Tom Deenihan appointed as new general secretary of the CPSMA
The Standing Committee of CPSMA (Catholic Primary Schools Management Association) has appointed Reverend Dr Tom Deenihan as its new general secretary. The appointment is effective from 14 October 2013.
Father Tom Deenihan is a priest of the Diocese of Cork and Ross. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1991 and, since then, has worked in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in a number of positions including several parishes, a post-primary school, as diocesan secretary and diocesan education secretary since 2006.
Father Deenihan’s ministry has been greatly involved in education. He was awarded a master’s degree and doctorate in education. Father Deenihan taught at Saint Goban’s College, Bantry, Co Cork, for nine years and has served on many primary, post primary, third level and further education boards. He is also a member of the Cork Education and Training Board (formerly known as Co Cork VEC) as well as holding the post of chair and occasional lecturer at the Christian Leadership in Education Office in Cork, which is a collaborative partner of the University of Hull. He is also a member of the Catholic Schools Partnership as well as being the Chair of the Association of Trustees of Catholic Schools.
Father Deenihan said that he was honoured to have been appointed to serve as general-secretary of CPSMA. On accepting the position Father Deenihan said that he was most appreciative of the support that has received from Sister Eileen Randles, Monsignor Dan O’Connor and Ms Eileen Flynn in his role as a member of primary boards of management and as diocesan education secretary.
Father Deenihan said, “I hope to continue the tradition of promoting, defending and supporting the inclusivity, professionalism and high standard of education and religious education in our Catholic primary schools throughout the country. I am particularly mindful of the obligations that CPSMA has to people in all the parishes of Ireland. I am acutely aware and wish to acknowledge today those women and men who selflessly serve the community by their voluntary service on management boards. I now look forward to working with the CPSMA Standing Committee, the Department of Education & Skills, as well as the other education partners, in order to support Catholic primary schools.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The CPSMA is a recognised school management association and represents all the boards of management of the over 2,900 Catholic primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Mrs Maria Spring is the chairperson of the CPSMA. See www.cpsma.ie
Please contact the Catholic Communications Office if you require a photograph of Father Tom Deenihan.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
