Prayers are being held for Declan Donnelly's brother, Father Dermott Donnelly, who is reported to be "extremely unwell" in hospital. The Catholic community have been sending well wishes to him after it was announced that he has been admitted to hospital and is believed to be seriously unwell.
Pontop Partnership, which is a partnership of ten Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, took to Facebook to announce the sad news. They posted: "Please pray for Fr. Dermott Donnelly who is seriously ill in hospital."
Father Dermott conducted his brother Dec's wedding to Ali Astall at St Michael's Church, in Elswick, in 2015, where he had been a priest since 1992, Chronicle Live reports.
In his time serving as a priest, he has also launched a youth outreach programme aimed at introducing disadvantaged youngsters to the Catholic Church. St Joseph's Church, in Stanley, will hold a community prayer on the evening of July 8 to pray for Father Dermott's welfare.
The prayer will take place at 6pm, before the Blessed Sacrament. Stanley, Dipton & Byermoor Catholic Parishes posted on Facebook on July 7: "Please pray for Father Dermott who is extremely unwell in hospital.
"Tomorrow evening between 6pm-7pm there will be period of time before the Blessed Sacrament so that we can come together as a community in St Joseph's Church to pray for Father Dermott's welfare.
"Please be respectful to Father Dermott and his family at this difficult time, we will update you as and when we receive the most up to date information verified by the Diocese."
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