Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi confirms parishioners of St. Joseph’s

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi and parishioners of St Joseph’s Heywood confirmed at Mass with Father Paul Daly in the background and Heywood MP Jim Dobbin on the right

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi, confirmed three parishioners of St. Joseph’s parish at Mass. This was the second of three celebrations of Confirmation in St. Joseph’s parish this year. On Easter night three adults were confirmed as they became full members of the Roman Catholic Church. In May, on Whit Sunday, 40 children of the parish will be confirmed as part of their process of admission to Holy Communion.

At teh recent celebration, Ged Rose, a parishioner who is involved in Heywood FM and other initiatives around the town, together with Emily , from Lima in Peru, who, with her family, has made her home in Heywood, and Lauren were confirmed by Archbishop Gallagher.

At the close of Mass the Archbishop spoke of his mission on behalf of the Pope in Burundi. Burundi is said to be the third poorest country in the world and has experienced a great deal of tribal conflict. The genocide of the 1990s has passed although times of instability still occur. Indeed, the previous Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi, Dublin-born Archbishop Michael Courtney, was assassinated in Burundi on 29 December 2003.

Archbishop Gallagher was grateful to receive a cheque for £500 from St. Joseph’s Developing World Fund to assist with development projects in Burundi.

Jim Dobbin, MP, met with the Nuncio and attended the Mass.

Before leaving Heywood, the Archbishop took time to visit a Burundian family now living in the town.