Cross-border move beckons for Drumragh curate Rev Sean Hanily

September 27, 2020

The curate of Drumragh with Mountfield, Rev Sean Hanily, is to take up a new role as Rector of Rathmichael in the Diocese of Dublin later this autumn. The news was announced to parishioners during today’s Service of Morning Prayer in St Columba’s Church in Omagh.

Rev Hanily, who has served as curate in Tyrone for just over two years, said the news had come as a shock to him. “I didn’t go looking for this appointment,” he told parishioners, “the appointment sought me out and found me.”

The curate thanked the parishioners for taking him and his wife Cherith into their hearts and for making them feel welcome. He said in one way he felt really sad [to be leaving] but that he had always been open to God’ call. “I feel God telling me that this is the right thing for my ministry and for us as a family.”

Rev Hanily told the congregation in church and watching online that he expected to be leaving “sooner rather than later”, probably around November. “Be assured that God is in this for you as He is for me,” he said, “and I know that in due course a new clergy team of rector – and probably then, at some point, curate – is going to come here and you are going to be blessed.”

Rev Hanily was applauded by those gathered in church for Sunday’s Service. The Rector’s Church Warden, Alan Mitchell, congratulated him on his first incumbency and thanked the curate “for his ministry, fellowship, friendship and leadership over the last six months of the vacancy in Drumragh with Mountfield”.