People are tweeting Pope Francis in hopes of keeping Limerick priest part of diocese
People in Limerick have taken to social media to tweet at the Pope, asking him not to relocate their local priest, .
Fr Chris O'Donnell, who works with young people in Limerick, is due to move to Dublin later this year to write a religion schoolbook but people are eager to keep him on Shannonside and are tweeting Pope Francis using #KeepOurHero.
An online petition to keep Fr O'Donnell in Limerick has over 1,400 signatures and describes the priest as 'an integral part of youth development in Limerick' and someone who the city 'can not afford to lose'.
@Pontifex surely you can't have Fr Chris O'Donnell leaving Limerick #keepourhero
— Séamus Horan (@seamushoran) July 4, 2017
@Potifex_ES Please allow, the much loved Fr. Chris O'Donnell from Limerick to remain in Limerick where he is so needed #keepourhero
— Dr. Mary Honan (@Millieandheidi1) July 3, 2017
@Pontifex @Glinner #keepourhero and friend Fr. Chris O'Donnell in Limerick where he coordinates an amazing youth group service in the city
— Conor McCoy (@Conjovi_) June 30, 2017
Speaking to Morning Ireland today, the 43-year-old priest moved to ease fears.
"The move is to work with Veritas in Dublin, again it's linked to young people, thank God.
"But equally I'm not being fully moved from Limerick because I'm actually still going to be working part time in Limerick in youth ministry.
"So I'm going to be between the two [Limerick and Dublin] but I think the youngsters feared that I was gone forever."
After 12 years in Limerick, Fr O'Donnell said he will still be staying connected with the diocese.
"The details aren't fully worked out, but it looks like I'll be in Limerick every week for most weeks up until November.
"Then I'll be in Dublin more full-time for a while, but I do expect as the Bishop has hoped, to stay connected to the youth ministry."
Fr O'Donnell added that the nature of being a priest was that they serve where ever they are asked to serve but added:
"Thankfully, I'll still remain connected to the good people of Limerick. That will never end, please God."
When asked by the Limerick Leader about the about the online petition keep him in the area, Fr O'Donnell said:
"The young people I work with are great. It's a gift and a privilege to work with them. As much as they love me, I love them, and I think that the reaction in the last few days is a reflection of the work we do in the youth ministry as much as the personalities involved.
"I fully appreciate their sentiments - it's typical of good people and it's lovely to see that fondness is there."
