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Ordination by archbishop marks four-year first for city

THE first new Catholic priest for the Derry diocese in four years was ordained yesterday by the coadjutor archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin.

Dr Martin was chief celebrant at deacon Micheal McGavigan's ordination as a priest in his home parish of St Columb's in the Waterside.

Dr Martin was joined by Derry's three retired bishops Edward Daly, Seamus Hegarty and Francis Lagan at the ordination.

More than 40 priests from the diocese also attended the ceremony.

Fr McGavigan was presented for ordination by Derry diocesan administrator Francis Bradley who was appointed following Dr Martin's ordination in Armagh.

Monsignor Ciaran O'Carroll and Fr Billy Swan from the Irish College in Rome also attended along with Fr Michael Spence of St Malachy's seminary in Belfast.

The new priest's mother Marian and father Michael took part, carrying the gifts to the altar.

Fr McGavigan originally worked as a banker in Britain before training for the priesthood.

He was ordained a deacon last year at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome.

He served as deacon in Dungiven and the parish of the Three Patrons in Derry city.

Fr McGavigan will say his first Mass in St Columb's at 7pm tonight.