Mayo man to become Archbishop of Newcastle

Belcarra man to be consecrated as Archbishop of Newcastle


Michael Commins

A Mayo man will be consecrated Archbishop of the Diocese of Newcastle and Hexham in March. Fr Seamus Cunningham, a native of Carrajames, Belcarra, was named during the week as the man to lead the diocese in which he has ministered since his ordination back in the 1960s.
Fr Jim, as he is known locally in Belcarra, received his secondary school education in St Nathy’s College in Ballaghaderreen before moving on to St John’s College in Waterford where he was ordained to the priesthood. His years in the ministry have been spent in the general Newcastle area.
Fr Jim is one of a family of ten born to the late Anthony and Mary Cunningham.
The eldest member of the family, his brother Seán, who was a member of An Garda Síochána in Dublin, died a few years ago.
The other members of the Cunningham family are Pat (Castlebar), Sr Teresa (Galway), Gerry (Belcarra), Tony (Belcarra), Mick (Carrajames, Belcarra), Mary Prendergast (Ballivor, Co Meath), Sr Helen (Dublin) and Ann Burns (Clarinbridge).
Family members are making plans to travel to Newcastle for the consecration ceremony on March 20 when Fr Seamus (Jim) will be installed as Archbishop of Hexham and Newcastle.
“This is also a special honour for the parish of Belcarra and the people of the area. Fr Jim is a lovely gentleman and always enjoys his visits to Belcarra.
We will have a special party for him the next time he visits Belcarra after his elevation to the position of Archbishop,” said a neighbour in Belcarra at the weekend.