The Diocese of Clogher mourns the death earlier this morning of Fr Jim Moore, Parish Priest of Clones and also Parish Priest of Killeevan-Currin- Aghabog. Fr Jim died in hospital in Belfast following a lengthy illness which he bore with great dignity. He was aged 59.
A native of Monaghan town, Fr Jim studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and at St Patrick’s College, Thurles and was ordained by Bishop Joseph Duffy on 18 June 1995. Following his ordination he was appointed CC in Irvinestown (Devenish) parish, Co Fermanagh where he served for two years. In 1997 he moved to Enniskillen and after five years there he was transferred as CC to Fintona (Donacavey) parish, Co Tyrone in 2002. In 2008 he was appointed Parish Priest of Fintona and served in that role for twelve years until his appointment as PP of Clones and also of Killeevan-Currin-Aghabog in September 2020.
The Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy, said that he was deeply sorry to learn of Fr Moore’s death. ‘Fr Jim was a priest who gave great service wherever he was sent to minister. Once you got to know Jim you knew you were in the presence of a man of great Christian faith, outstanding ability, superb wit and someone with a great capacity for pastoral care of people.He often went well beyond the call of duty in caring for his parishioners and fellow priests.
‘He was a man who contributed to the diocese in many ways. I particularly recall his role as part of the “Clogher Diocese in Dialogue” listening process just after I became Bishop in 2019. His direct interventions, along with his great wisdom and insight helped shape the outcome of that work.
‘We have all been very much aware of Fr Jim’s illness for some time. He bore it with great faith and hope in the love and mercy of God as well as his typical strength of character and humour. His death, at such a young age, is a big blow to his family, to us as a diocese and to the priests and lay faithful who journeyed with him in ministry.
‘I extend to his mother Winnie, to his siblings Ethena, Marina, Niamh, Barry and Christopher and his wider family, as well as to his brother priests and many friends, my deepest and prayer-filled sympathy.
‘May the Lord, whom he served so generously, now grant him eternal rest in the fullness of the Resurrection.’
Funeral Arrangements:
Fr. Jim will repose at his home, 11 Killylacky Road, Magheraveely, BT92 6HW, on Wednesday, 2nd September, from 3pm until 8pm for family and close friends.
Removal from his home on Thursday, 3rd September, at 2.45pm to repose in Sacred Heart Church, Clones, until Vigil Prayers at 7.30pm.
Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Clones, on Friday, 4th September, at 12 noon, followed by burial in St. Macartan’s Cemetery, Aghadrumsee, BT92 7NQ.
Fr. Jim’s Funeral Mass can be viewed live via the Clones Parish webcam at:
https://www.clonesparish.com/webcam
