Monsignor Gerard McSorley, retired Parish Priest of Ballybay (Tullycorbet) and former Prior of St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg, died on Tuesday 3 November at St Anne’s Nursing Home, Ballybay. In his 98th year, he was both the oldest and the longest-serving priest in the Diocese of Clogher, having been ordained in 1954.
Paying tribute to Monsignor McSorley, the Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy, paid tribute to his immense contribution to the life of the diocese as well as the parishes he served in and, most especially, the people whose lives his priestly ministry touched.
‘Monsignor McSorley began his journey to priestly ministry in the years following the Second World War. Having been sent to Rome to undertake his studies, he experienced at first hand the impacts of that war and the changes that became necessary in the Church and in Europe in the decades following. This broader view of the Church and the world, he continued to develop and when the Second Vatican Council came, he was very well placed to not just implement it but to encourage its reception at every level.
‘His ten years as Prior of Lough Derg saw massive changes not just in terms of the physical facilities there, but in the orientation of the pilgrimage experience to the daily lives of the pilgrims in living out their baptismal calling to holiness. All of this he achieved without losing anything of the central and centuries-old spiritual tradition of this renowned sacred place.
‘But it was always as a priest in the local parish that Monsignor Gerry made his impact across our diocese over the course of his 72 years of priestly ministry. His pastoral encounters with people and families in all kinds of situations opened and renewed pathways to Christ for so many. His care of and encouragement for priests with whom he ministered was also one his hallmarks.
‘In so many ways, he was ahead of his time, though he never looked for credit.
‘May the Lord now reward him and bring him to the fullness of life in his Kingdom.
Life and Ministry of Monsignor Gerard McSorley
Monsignor McSorley was born in Newtownsaville, in the Parish of Eskra, Co Tyrone on 29 May 1929. Having completed his studies at the Pontifical Irish College and the Lateran University in Rome, he was ordained on 8th May 1954 at the Lateran Archbasilica by Archbishop Luigi Traglia, the Vicar General of Rome and future Cardinal.
Following ordination, he spent a further year as an archivist at the Irish College before returning to the Diocese of Clogher where he was appointed CC in Tempo, Co Fermanagh. In 1956 he was transferred to Errigal Truagh parish in Co Monaghan. In August 1957, he was appointed to the staff of St Macartan’s College, Monaghan, where he remained until 1971. During these years he was also the Secretary to Bishop Eugene O’Callaghan.
In August 1971 he was appointed CC in the Cathedral Parish of Monaghan & Rackwallace and then Administrator of the parish in 1979. A year later, in 1980, he was appointed Prior of St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg and Administrator of Pettigo parish, Co Donegal. Over the following ten years he led a major renewal of the Lough Derg pilgrimage experience, including the construction of new accommodation and the re-ordering of St Patrick’s Basilica along with many other initiatives.
In 1990, he as appointed Parish Priest of Ballybay (Tullycorbet), Co Monaghan where he served until his retirement as PP in September 2004.
He was also a keen sportsman, having played GAA at club and county level – winning an Ulster Minor Football medal with Tyrone in 1946. He was also a keen golfer and had a great interest in sport generally.
Funeral Arrangements: (per RIP.ie)
Monsignor McSorley will repose at Ward’s Funeral Home, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan (A75H585) tomorrow Thursday November 5th from 4.00pm until 7.00pm.
Arriving at St. Patrick’s Church, Ballybay, on Friday evening November 6th for Reception Prayers at 4.00pm, followed by public repose until Night Prayer at 8.00pm.
Monsignor McSorley’s Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballybay, on Saturday November 7th, at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
