Press Release

Wexford Rotarian Ronan receives papal knighthood

AN UNUSUAL ceremony took place at the 10:30 Mass in Castlebridge on Sunday morning, when Bishop Denis Brennan presented a knighthood to one of the Diocese’s longest serving lay people.

On the instruction of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI Ronan Furlong (the former chairman of the Ferns diocesan finance committee) was invested with a Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory. Speaking at the ceremony, Bishop Brennan said that the contribution of Ronan to the administrative life of the diocese over the past decade had been immense.

“As chairman of the diocesan finance committee,” he said, “Ronan has been, at all times, professional and proactive, innovative and open, a steady hand in un-chartered waters.”

A former student of St. Peter’s, Ronan spent his working life with Bank of Ireland for whom he held down various management roles culminating in his appointment to the post of Regional Manager for the Southeast a post which he held until he retired in June 1995.

Outside the bank, Ronan was an active member of Wexford Chamber of Commerce, a founder member and first president of Wexford Rotary Club and also a past president of St. Peter’s PPU. On receiving the honour, he spoke of the privilege that was his in being involved in the diocesan finance committee over the years.

“Years” he said, “that brought their share of challenges and blessings, years in which I have enjoyed great co-operation and support.” In reflecting on innovations and initiatives introduced in the years during which he was involved,

Mr. Furlong said, “I am delighted to say that by virtue of such measures we now have a model here in Ferns of which any diocese would be proud and which will facilitate facing the future in an atmosphere of calm and confidence.”

The Papal Order of Saint Gregory was originally founded by Pope Gregory XVI on 1 September 1831. Awards of the Order are usually made on the recommendation of Diocesan Bishops or Nuncios for specific services. It is a preferred award to acknowledge an individual’s particular meritorious service to the Church.