Golden Jubilee of Archbishop Emeritus McDonald
Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination
To mark 50 years since Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald was ordained to the Priesthood, a special service was held at St George’s Cathedral on 31 May 2024.
The joyful celebration saw priests, bishops, religious and lay people, as well as his friends and family gather to mark the occasion.
At the service, Archbishop John Wilson thanked Archbishop Emeritus Kevin for the “enormity of his service”, adding that Archbishop Kevin is much loved by him and all within the Archdiocese of Southwark.
In a touching story, Archbishop John shared his first encounter with Archbishop Emeritus Kevin. It was when Archbishop John was just 21 and a seminarian in Rome in 1989. Kevin McDonald was an official for the Vatican at the time and greeted the young seminarian with “humanity, warmth, friendship and encouragement”. Archbishop John added these are characteristics which Archbishop Emeritus Kevin carries with him today.
The service took place on the annual celebration of Priesthood, which celebrates and gives thanks for those serving in the Priesthood.
Kevin McDonald was first ordained on the 20 July 1974 at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham. At the service, Kevin spoke about his varied service which included teaching Moral Theology to working in Rome and his time as a Parish Priest at English Martyrs in Sparkhill in Birmingham.
Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald pointed to the words of Our Lady “let it be done unto me according to your word” when reflecting on the Priesthood, he said:
“We find ourselves in that response to God’s call. ‘According to your word’. In vocation, you live, grow, prosper and suffer in response to a call. You can flourish within that because you know you are part of a bigger story”.
Congratulations to Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald for his wonderful service.
Photos of the service were kindly taken by Marcin Mazur (please credit ©Mazur/cbcew.org.uk).
