Father Eamon Roche
The newest member of the priesthood in Cork said that applying to the Diocese of Cloyne in the midst of ‘its greatest turmoil’ did not put him off.
Deacon Eamon Roche from Castlemartyr, is to be ordained tomorrow. He applied to join the priesthood in early 2009, at which time allegations of abuse by the church in the Diocese of Cloyne were emerging. He said positive experiences with priests while growing up convinced him he was making the right decision.
“When I was applying to go to the seminary in early 2009, the Diocese of Cloyne was in the middle of its greatest turmoil. I was applying in the middle of the storm. I still felt the pull. I know the Diocese of Cloyne is on a noble mission and still has a number of good priests.”
Deacon Roche is a latecomer to the priesthood. Now 44, he previously spent four years teaching maths and science in Christian Brothers College Cork and a ten years working for H+A Marketing in Ballincollig.
A mass-goer all his life, he felt the urge to get involved in church activities in his 30s and said the desire to join the priesthood grew from there.
He said, “I never thought about the priesthood through most of my working life. I didn’t consciously think about the priesthood but I wanted to get involved in church activities somehow. It just grew until I heard the call.”
Deacon Roche is optimistic about the role the church can play despite current issues like dwindling mass attendances.
“The church is going through a period of transition in Ireland and Europe, but it is growing at quite a rate in Asia and Africa. The numbers of people attending mass is nothing to be alarmed about. What is important is how authentically people can live out their faith. It is always the same gospel message. The church needs to respond to whatever issues arise in a generation.”
Deacon Roche will be ordained in St. Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh tomorrow at 2.30pm. He said he is looking forward to his next step.
“I do feel really blessed by all my careers moves. I loved my teaching and my time with H+A Marketing, and I am really looking forward to the next chapter.”
He hasn’t yet received his parish placement. He will say his first mass in his home parish of Mogeely at 7pm on Monday.