A priest in Cork has left an emotional farewell video to his parishioners after retiring from duty last week to battle incurable cancer.
Fr Gerard Galvin, of the Munitir Bhaire parish in West Cork, revealed on Sunday that he had incurable cancer in his bones and lungs.
Fr Galvin has served there since 2009, but officially retired from duty last week.
However, he posted a video online addressed to those in his parish, detailing some of his favourite events that had happened in his 12 years of service.
On multiple occasions, Fr Galvin can be seen to be holding back tears.
He said during the video how he had seen all kinds of celebrations, from weddings to funerals to confirmations and communions.
He noted: “I tried my best to do the best I could for people in need. I had great laughs as well. We had coffee days and coffee mornings.
"Together as a community, we learned an awful lot from one another. I learned about the strength of faith in the community. I learned in the parish to say thank you. I learned from the children in the local school who could be great craic. Their endless ability to surprise me is a wonderful thing..
“You have supported me in ways and means that I will never forget. Your prayers have given me the gift of healing and have helped me. I wish it wasn’t like this. I wish I could shake your hands and say goodbye but I can’t. I don’t have the energy anymore.”
"Cancer is not my life. Cancer will not be my life. The life I have been given is the life I have been given by the Lord. Fear, anger, resentment, self-pity, and much more are gone.
"They are replaced with hope and love.”
