Shaun Doherty to be ordained a priest this Sunday afternoon

A former Highland Radio presenter is to be ordained a priest this afternoon.

Shaun Doherty was, for 30 years, a hugely successful broadcaster. Every day he presented the main talk show on the Letterkenny-based station. Over the years he became a household name in the region for his work. 

But one day seven years ago he announced live on air that he would be leaving his job in radio, and pursuing something else.

Everyone expected this award-winning broadcaster would end up on another station, probably in Dublin or London, such was the esteem he was held in but no, Shaun had another pathway, one to the priesthood.

After studying in Rome for three years Shaun was ordained a deacon approximately a year ago in St Paul's Basilica.

Around the same time spoke in a podcast interview with journalist and broadcaster, Colm Flynn, about why he decided to walk away from the success he had and move to Rome in Italy, to start a new life studying for the priesthood, and how he hopes to find fulfilment in his new role. 

Listen here at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mjS28RyRkmk1I3xN1YTHY?si=Lf2pofYyTT2mazxQpbepxg&utm_source=whatsapp

He outlined his time at the radio station, his calling, and the influence of Fahan native, the late Fr Neal Carlin, founder of the White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre near Bridgend and the Columba Community in Derry.

"It is something you feel inside, they say a calling. I felt something deep within me. It's not something that happened overnight.

"It's something as a young person I considered but life took me on a different path and we make choices, some good and some bad, and they make us the person we are but at that point in my life I felt very strongly and I would definitely say Fr Neal had a big influence on me," he says.

The interview touched on his childhood, his broadcasting career, his calling to the priesthood and how he is studying to become a priest in Rome. 

He also explained how his former job has prepared him for his new role and of course the effect of the abuse scandals that rocked the church for so many years.

He says that while he was well aware of the public perception of the priesthood these days with the sex abuse scandals and how different it was joining now compared to 50 years ago and was not really worried about it.

"I'd be well aware of it because I was involved in the interviews over the years with people who have suffered abuse because people are hurt and they are entitled to be hurt because of what the church or certain members of the church, have done but I can't be fatalistic and think, that's it, we shut the doors. We have to, as a church, be there, we need priests whether it's me or somebody else, there has to be someone who steps forward and please God, many more will."

Today’s ordination will be officiated by the Most Rev. Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry. A reception will follow at The Iosas Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden, Derryvane, Donegal.

Fr Doherty will celebrate his first mass in St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road, Derry tomorrow evening Monday, July 3 at 7.30pm.