Gone to his eternal reward — the dynamic canon whose great work belied the bad publicity clergy must endure from liberal media

It is with regret that I learned of the recent death of Canon John Finn, former parish priest of Aghabullogue and Clondrohid in Co Cork. He was 91.

Canon Finn was a truly wonderful man and a most caring pastor. A native of Mitchelstown, he studied for the priesthood at the Irish College in Paris and was ordained in 1941.

Having served as a curate mostly in the eastern parts of the diocese of Cloyne (in Cobh, Killeagh, Donoughmore, Castlemartyr, Ballymacoda, Conna and Cloyne) for many years, he was appointed parish priest of Clondrohid in west Muskerry in 1977, at the age of 62. He took to his new responsibilities with great gusto and was a most popular parish priest.

Even though I had by then long since ‘emigrated’ to Dublin, I met him on many occasions during my visits home to Clondrohid.

He involved himself in all aspects of parish life and it was he who donated most of the land attached to the Parochial House in Clondrohid — some six or seven acres — so that it could be used to construct a fine football pitch for the benefit of the community.

I use the word ‘construct’ deliberately as the land in question required extensive work to drain and lay out the fine pitch which Clondrohid can be proud of today.

That work was carried out largely on a voluntary basis by the local community.

I recall him telling me how he used all his diplomatic skills in convincing his bishop of the necessity of donating the land.

I am not, of course, suggesting that he pulled the wool over the bishop’s eyes — that would be an impossible task — but I understood clearly from his account that he did not play down in any way the positive reasons why such ‘bad land’ could be used much more productively for the development of his community.

He was also an accomplished singer and actor and was an active participant in the Holy Show — with a group of fellow priests who performed many concerts for deserving causes.

He also acted with the local drama group in many productions.

Above all, he was a man of the people.

His religious services attracted many from outside the parish and in these days when our clergy get such a bad press from our liberal media, it is only proper that the great spiritual and temporal work done by the late Canon Finn (and I am sure by countless other priests) should be acknowledged.

He was appointed parish priest of Aghabullogue in 1985 where he ministered until 1995, when he retired at the age of 80.

But he did not retire, of course.

He saw a need for his priestly services in Farran in the neighbouring parish of Ovens in the diocese of Cork.

He kept working there as a curate for the next 10 years until 2005. Canon Finn was a true shepherd to all his flock wherever he ministered.

He was a humble Christian and I know that the people of Clondrohid in particular appreciate the great spiritual, pastoral, cultural, educational and sporting works he did while ministering to them.

Táim cinnte gur ar dheis Dé atá a anam uasal anois.

Tadhg Ó hÉalaithe

Hollybrook Road

Clontarf

Dublin 3