This afternoon Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, presided at the ordination Mass of Father Robert McGivney (28) who was ordained to the priesthood at 3.00pm in Saint Mary’s Church in Navan, County Meath. During the ceremony Bishop Smith acknowledged the widespread grief and sadness in the locality following the tragic death of Lorna Carty RIP. Bishop Smith said:
“Today is a supremely important moment in Robert’s life and a happy occasion for the Diocese of Meath. Yet our thoughts are also with the Carty family in Robinstown following Lorna’s senseless killing. Lorna worked here in Navan in one of the medical centres and is known to, and loved by, very many people. The brutal circumstances of Lorna’s death are sadly becoming more frequent. This is the world in which Robert is called to serve as a priest. Ordination includes bringing comfort to the suffering and being a minister of Christ’s peace in a difficult world. We extend our sympathy and our prayers to Lorna’s husband Declan, to her children Simon and Hazel and extended family and friends.”
Father Robert McGivney is a native of Navan, County Meath, the son of Mr Gerry McGivney, a retired teacher and well-known local GAA Referee, and of the late Mrs June McGivney. Father Robert is the middle of two brothers, Joseph (29) and Shane (24). After finishing his secondary education in Saint Patrick’s Classical School in Navan, Robert completed a four-year degree in Mathematics in Trinity College, Dublin. He began his seminary studies and formal discernment process in 2009 and has just qualified in his studies of Theology from Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth. During his studies Robert took the opportunity to work with the Daughters of Charity in Calcutta in the summer 2012 which he described as a “life changing experience”. Robert also worked in parishes in the United States and undertook an intensive chaplaincy ministry course in Wisconsin in 2013. He was ordained a deacon last year in Maynooth, and has assisted in many parishes of the diocese, particularly in Navan and in Dunboyne & Kilbride.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678