Monsignor Gerard McSorley, former Prior of Lough Derg, dies

The Lough Derg community announced the death of Monsignor Gerard McSorley, who served as Prior of Lough Derg from 1980 to 1990.

Monsignor McSorley died on Tuesday in the care of the nursing staff at St Anne’s Nursing Home, Ballybay, County Monaghan. He was a native of Eskra, County Tyrone, and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1954.

During his ten‑year tenure as Prior, he welcomed thousands of pilgrims to Station Island, led the restoration of Saint Patrick’s Basilica and oversaw the construction of new accommodation for pilgrims, including the replacement of the Ladies Hospice. To fund the works he established the Lough Derg Restoration Fund, which raised over IR£3 million from pilgrims and parishes in Ireland and abroad.

After leaving Lough Derg in 1990, Monsignor McSorley became Parish Priest of Tullycorbet. Prior Monsignor Joseph McGuinness paid tribute, recalling the warmth of his welcome and his 6:30 am Masses, and extended sympathy to his family, brother priests in the Diocese of Clogher and all who were touched by his ministry.

Monsignor McSorley will be laid to rest on Saturday following a Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Ballybay.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Phil Mitchell / Pexels.