The Traveller community has reached an important milestone in pastoral care and theological education, with Richard O’Brien of Kilarney, Co. Kerry, becoming one of the first Irish Travellers to be accredited as a Catholic Chaplain.
“I was surprised to hear I was the first Traveller to become a chaplain, because it is such a faithful community,” Mr O’Brien told The Irish Catholic. “I hope I can be an example for younger people. To break new ground. In some ways – when you see it you believe it.”
Mr O’Brien’s path to chaplaincy began in 2018 when he sought to join the permanent diaconate but was told he was too young, as the minimum age is 35. Instead of stepping back, he began volunteering in the Diocese of Kerry, where, he says, “it was a case of different people opening doors.”
Since then, he has completed a Pastoral Theology degree at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, a BA in Theology at The Priory Institute, Dublin, and three units of Clinical Pastoral Education at University Hospital Kerry. He now serves as a lay pastoral leader in Killarney parish and is pursuing a Master’s in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Studies at DCU.
Proud of the deep faith within the Traveller community, Mr O’Brien hopes to inspire others to follow. “This calling has been a chance to trust God more, as he’ll put the right people in my path. I want to see other Travellers getting involved in chaplaincy and ministry.”
