FATHER Joe McVeigh has seen plenty of changes in his 50 years as a priest, with the long-serving priest able to look back on changes in the Church, as well as the social and historic developments which have taken place in Northern Ireland since his 1971 ordination.

On Sunday, April 18, Fr. McVeigh marked five decades of priesthood, reflecting on the many changes he has seen down the years.

He remembers those who inspired him to begin his journey in faith, and those who continue to do so.

“I think it was Pope John 23rd who got me thinking about the priesthood in the first place, and it’s Pope Francis who has renewed my whole commitment to the priesthood.

“They’re two men who are outstanding, but there have been many people who inspired me to to go down that road, you know, including my family, my parish community, the priests in the parish and the priests that I’ve met over the years who are good men.”

His time in the Diocese of Clogher has seen Fr. McVeigh spend time in Garrison, Monaghan, Lisnaskea, Irvinestown and Enniskillen, where he is currently based.

He also spent time helping out at the Springhill Community House, in Belfast, alongside Fr. Des Wilson.

Looking back at many changes, Fr. McVeigh feels the increased involvement of people in the liturgy and the running of parishes has been important in maintaining churches, and with the lack of priests, at present, the greater involvement of lay people can be seen as a positive change, he feels.

‘Scarcity of priests’

“The scarcity of priests is a big issue for the Church in Ireland, and in many countries in Europe it’s a huge issue.

“And so, if the Church is to grow, it will have to recognise the important role that [lay] people have as leaders, and as participants in the future.

“So, all of that [increased lay people involvement] has been a big, big positive change. I think, you know, if there’s a scarcity or a reduction in the number of priests, maybe it may be a positive thing if the laity take over and become much more active in the Church’s life, which is what I would like to see.”

The Enniskillen priest believes the role of women, in particular, has to be recognised more within the Church, adding: “The role of women has to be more fully recognised for their role in the Church.

“I would have no problem with women being ordained priests in the near future, but I think there’s a conservative element in our church that wouldn’t wouldn’t want that. But, again, that’s a discussion that needs to be ongoing.”

As well as the changes within the Church, Fr. McVeigh has witnessed the evolution of society here through The Troubles, and the Peace Process, and more recently with the effects of Brexit and increased conversations around an United Ireland.

Looking back, he says: “The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 was a great milestone, and we’re witnessing the working out of that at the present time, and we will be for many years to come.”

He says societal and cultural changes were happening before 1998, which the Good Friday Agreement accelerated with ceasefires, the equality agenda, policing and human rights issues coming more to the fore, and he expects more changes to happen in the next five to 10 years.

At present, Brexit is a great dividing factor in Northern Ireland, but Fr. McVeigh believes there are leaders in the community who can bring society forward through this.

“Brexit is causing just causing serious tensions in our [Northern Ireland] community, especially because it’s not what the people really wanted – the majority wanted to stay in Europe, and still want to stay in Europe. So, that’s all being worked through [at present].

“We have to recognise the tensions that exist in our community, and, of course, to work through them.

“Violence has nothing to offer. The violence that we have seen recently is totally destructive, and is self-defeating, really, so there’s no room for that.

“The future has to be worked out through negotiation and dialogue, and that’s my great hope – that it will be.”

Being a strong believer in Irish culture, games and language, an United Ireland is something Fr. McVeigh has wished for all his life, and he also believes that there would be a more vibrant economy if it was organised on an all-island basis.

Unification

However, he also knows there are many people who oppose unification, and if an United Ireland was to be realised, Fr. McVeigh feels how opponents to such a move would be accommodated will be a big factor, going forward.

Fr. McVeigh expects a Border poll within the next decade, but sees considerable cross-community conversations happening before all the people of the entire island make any democratic decision on the future of this island.

He says: “It’s going to take a lot of work and dialogue and planning by both governments, because they’re co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, so they have a huge responsibility as well as local political parties.”

In recent years, Fr. McVeigh has also taken a keen interest in the future of the planet since the creation of the Clogher Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Group in 2014.

The group brings together people from all beliefs who are concerned about the danger of climate change.

“It’s a whole new interest for me; it’s something that excites and interests me, and concerns me greatly. I think people are more open to it now, with a lockdown, and people became aware of how vast the world has become. Now, we’ve slowed down a wee bit, and I hope we continue to slow down and give the earth time to heal and to breathe.”

However, there is no such slowing down for Fr. McVeigh who, after 50 years in the priesthood, is still going as strong as ever.