The Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher has led tributes to a popular parish priest who died on Thursday, August 8, remembering the “many pastoral gifts” he brought to his ministry in the Diocese of Clogher.

Bishop Larry Duffy paid tribute to the late Canon Joe Mullin, retired parish priest of Aghalurcher (Lisnaskea-Maguiresbridge), County Fermanagh, who died aged 81.

Bishop Duffy said: ‘Canon Mullin reached out to people wherever they were and brought to them the love and tenderness of God’s grace and mercy.

"Throughout his priestly service in parishes as geographically diverse as Bundoran, Carrickmacross, Enniskillen and Monaghan – and for 25 years in Lisnaskea and Maguiresbridge – he proclaimed the love of Christ for all."

Canon Mullin grew up near Fintona, County Tyrone and was ordained a priest in 1968.

He served in the parishes of Bundoran, Enniskillen, and Carrickmacross, and then in Monaghan and Rackwallace, where he was Administrator from 1990, before being appointed to Aghalurcher as Administrator in 1993, and then taking up the role as parish priest in 1997.

Following his retirement as parish priest in 2018, he ministered to the people of Maguiresbridge until March, 2020, after which he took up residence in Slieve Na Mon Nursing Home in Omagh, where he died last Thursday.

Bishop Duffy also paid tribute to Canon Mullin’s role as the Director of the Clogher Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

He said: “The love and devotion, the astute planning and preparation which he brought to this role, ensured that so many people – especially the sick – gained the graces together with the spiritual and peaceful experiences of Mary’s shrine at Lourdes.

“This extended also to the many young people who travelled to Lourdes to assist the pilgrims and who today form an integral part of the Clogher Lourdes experience."

Bishop Duffy extended his sympathies to Canon Mullin’s family and friends.

“To his family and many friends, especially those in the Parish of Aghalurcher which he served so faithfully, I extend my prayer-filled sympathy as we commend his soul to the Lord.

"May the Lord now welcome him to the table of God’s children in heaven.”

Canon Joseph Mullin’s funeral mass took place on Saturday, August 10 in Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea. 

Following the funeral, he was laid to rest in Fintona Cemetery.