Installation and Institution of the Very Revd Máirt Hanley as the New Dean of Leighlin and Rector of Leighlin and Dunleckney Group
The Apostle St James is closely associated with the idea of pilgrimage. Today the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St James, is a network of pilgrimage routes culminating in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where his remains are believed to be buried.
In his opening remarks at the start of the service, the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, the Rt. Revd Adrian Wilkinson said:
“In the church calendar we remember St James on 25th July and so today is a fitting day for the installation and institution of the Very Revd Máirt Hanley, someone who has embraced the idea of pilgrimage throughout his ministry, as the new Dean of Leighlin and incumbent of the newly formed Leighlin and Dunleckney Group of Parishes.”
A large congregation made up of Máirt’s ministry colleagues and ecumenical representatives, parishioners from both Leighlin and Dunleckney Unions as well as many from his former parish from Baltinglass Group and representatives of the wider community gathered in the historic St Laserian’s Cathedral in Old Leighlin for the service of Installation and Institution.
The preacher was the Revd Vicki Lynch, priest in charge of Drumcliffe (Ennis) in the Diocese of Killaloe who knew Máirt since he was first ordained and living in Killorglin. In her sermon, she reflected on Máirt’s life as a kind of pilgrimage — a steady walking with God and with the people he has served, marked by compassion, humour, and a deep pastoral sensitivity.
She said that this spirit of pilgrimage, attentive, faithful, and open to the Spirit, would be a blessing to his new parish, where he will bring not only his experience and wisdom, but also his joy in walking alongside others in faith.
The music, including two anthems ‘Lead me Lord’ and ‘If ye love me’ was led by the local cathedral choir and the organist for the service was Sena Harenberg. Representatives from many parts of the new group of parishes were involved in the liturgy.
This service marked the formal uniting of two parishes to become a new group under one incumbent. In the speeches following the service the Bishop commended the parishioners for taking this step forward in faith and thanked those who looked after both parishes during the vacancies.
The new ministry team includes Dean Hanley, the Revd Pat Coleman OLM and the Revd Bronwyn Nortje who is the chaplain of Kilkenny College and house for duty priest living in the Rectory in Bagnelstown. Dr Stephen Doak, a Diocesan Reader, also resides in the parish and takes services on a regular basis. Representatives from the parishes welcomed Dean Hanley, his wife Úna and their family and hoped that they would be very happy as the first residents in the new Deanery in Old Leighlin.
The fellowship continued over refreshments served in the cathedral afterwards.
📷 A full report and a selection of pictures
By the Diocesan Communications Officer, Shane Reynolds