Saturday 5 December 2015

Benemerenti

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Our congratulations go to Mrs Eileen Healy, who has been awarded the Papal medal Benemerenti by Pope Francis. This is in recognition of her long and devoted service to the Church, especially by serving as a cook and housekeeper to many priests (and bishops!)

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Bishop Robert Byrne came on Saturday 5th December, the feast of St Birinus, Apostle of the West Saxons, to present the medal.

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The Benemerenti Medal was first awarded by Pope Pius VI (1775–1799) to recognize military merit. Since 1925 it has been awarded to clergy and lay members of the faithful, both military and civil.

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Photographs by Hannah Chegwyn