Rev. Murphy ordained priest in Tullamore with June 3 service

Rev. Murphy was ordained priest at St Catherine’s Church in tullamore on Wednesday, June 3, in a special service attended by parishioners, colleagues, family members and friends. He made the declarations of ordination and received the laying on of hands.

St Catherine’s Church

Canon Isaac Delamere preached at the service and paid tribute to Murphy’s ministry, describing his work as a “signature blend of empathy and insight”. Delamere also said priesthood is “not a promotion or a status symbol” but a calling to serve God and people.

The service placed Murphy’s ordination in a public setting that brought together the people closest to his ministry and family life. Delamere acknowledged the support of Murphy’s wife, Rachael, who serves as Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the Church of Ireland.

Geashill Union of Parishes

Murphy will continue to serve as curate of the Geashill Union of Parishes and will work alongside Delamere in the Tullamore Union with Geashill Union. He and Rachael have five children.

The new priest’s path to this point included ordination as a deacon at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trim, in June of last year, when Bishop Pat Storey led the service and Archdeacon Katharine Poulton, Canon John Clarke and Diocesan Registrar Karen Seaman assisted. Murphy has described the route into ordained ministry as “a winding but purposeful road”, after earlier work in the military, policing, information technology and charity leadership.