Bishop celebrates emergency and frontline staff in ceremony held in Tipperary
Bishop Cullinan gave a speech to the crowd who attended the event in Kickham Plaza, Clonmel.
The Bishop of the Waterford and Lismore diocese has given a speech celebrating frontline staff in Tipperary.
Bishop Cullinan celebrated Tipperary’s Gardai and emergency services in a ceremony held in Kickham Plaza, Clonmel on Sunday, June 29.
At the ceremony the Bishop made a speech highlighting the hard work of frontline staff in Tipperary. He addressed the crowd, saying: “Standing here in this former Irish Army barracks, such a significant part of the life of this town and its surrounding hinterland for generations, I wish to welcome you all very sincerely to this Jubilee Year of Hope gathering.
"You have all made your little pilgrimage to Clonmel today. You are warmly welcome here.
"I am delighted that this Jubilee event is being accompanied by a special dedication to honour a former chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Lt. Gen. David Francis Stapleton. Every 25 Years, the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee Year.
"A Jubilee Year is a time for conversion and the reorientation of one’s life. Last year Pope Francis chose the theme of HOPE for this Jubilee Year of 2025. Everyone I have spoken to very much welcomed this.
"Today we need hope. Our Jubilee committee in the Diocese decided to mirror the many events being held in Rome - Jubilees of volunteers, of choirs, of medical and nursing staff, of carers, of priests and seminarians, of grandparents and many more, including a jubilee event for Armed Forces, Police, Emergency & Rescue Services.
"And so we are here today to acknowledge the huge contribution which people like you make to the building up of hope, in the sense that in your work you provide stability in society - people feel that there are others who care. Society needs men and women who are capable of putting themselves at the service of peace, justice and solidarity." he said.
"Thanks to you, people are helped to respect the laws that regulate harmonious coexistence and justice. Your presence in an area helps to encourage the solidarity of the whole community.
"We commend those hidden daily acts of service that no one sees. As Pope Francis said, “This is so beautiful; it is God alone who sees it. God does not forget these things”.
Bishop Cullinan concluded that when working together, humanity can overcome challenges and build a more just and peaceful world.
Representatives from An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Emergency Services, Fire Services, Civil Defence, The Irish Coast Guard, Order of Malta, The Red Cross, Mountain and River Rescue organisations, veterans and other associated organisations were in attendance at the event.