THE Bishop of Derry has
led tributes following the death of Carndonagh-born
priest Fr. Patrick McLaughlin.
Better known as Fr. Packie, the 79-year old priest
died on 17 April at Seven Mile Straight in Co
Antrim.
He was born in May 1932 in Carndonagh and attended
school at the Convent National School, Carndonagh
and the Boys’ National School, Carndonagh. He then
attended St. Columb’s College, Derry.
He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s
College, Maynooth, and was ordained on 23 June 1957.
Fr. Packie’s first appointment was as curate in the
parish of Desertmartin, Co Derry.
In 1958, he was appointed as curate in the parish of
Ardstraw West (Dregish), Co Tyrone, where he
remained until 1963.
In that year, he was appointed as chaplain of the
Nazareth House in Derry where he remained for the
next four years.
In 1967, he was appointed as curate to the parish of
Ballyscullion, Co Derry, before moving back to Co
Donegal in 1968.
Fr. Packie moved to the parish of Greencastle where
he remained, as curate, until his appointment to the
parish of Termonamongan in Co Tyrone in 1971.
Fr. McLaughlin spent the remainder of his time as a
priest in various parishes around Co Derry before
becoming curate in Lavey in 1997.
He retired from the priesthood in 2010. Paying
tribute, Bishop of Derry, Dr. Seamus Hegarty said:
“Fr Packie McLaughlin served the people of the
Diocese of Derry for many years, from his ordination
in 1957 until his retirement in 2010.
“His death is deeply regretted by the bishops,
priests and people of the diocese. May he rest in
peace.”
Solemn Requiem Mass and Office for the Dead was
celebrated on Wednesday, 20 April at 12 noon, in St.
Joseph’s Church, Glenullin. Fr Packie was laid to
rest in the adjoining cemetery. |
