Tipperary man presented with Papal medal for outstanding service to parish of Thurles

Thurles man David Campbell has been presented with a Papal Benemerenti Medal in recognition of his outstanding service to the Church and to the parish of Thurles over many years.

The presentation took place at the conclusion of last weekends pre-Christmas Family Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption and resulted in David being taken totally aback when the current Chairman of the Thurles Parish Pastoral Team, Joe Bracken, took to the Ambo and made the announcement – David was in attendance with his wife Helen, their son Eric and daughter Claire.

The Family Mass had been celebrated by Rev Fr James Purcell, Parish Priest of Thurles, and he was joined in the Sanctuary by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, who presented the Benemerenti Medal to David on behalf of Pope Francis.

The Benemerenti Medal is awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established as an award for soldiers in the Papal Army, it is now a civil decoration but may still be awarded to members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.

The current version of the Benemerenti medal, which David received, was designed by Pope Paul VI. The medal is a gold Greek Cross depicting Christ with his hand raised in blessing. On the left arm of the cross is the tiara and crossed keys symbol of the papacy. On the right arm is the coat of arms of the current Pope. The medal is suspended from a yellow and white ribbon, the colours of the Papacy.

The medal, which David treasures, will have pride of place in his home in Monadreen. A former Chairman of the Thurles Parish Council, a member of the Faith Formation Group, and Thurles Parish Renewal, David has been an Accord facilitator in the parish for many years as well as being a Eucharistic Minister. He has also conducted pre-marriage course over many years and is a Minister of the Word, as well as having been a key organiser in the Installation Ceremony of Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly in Cashel and Emly.

David has undertaken, and was honoured, with a degree in Theology in St Patrick’s College, Thurles and is a natural, faithful and diligent leader of the Parish Pastoral Council, his goal being to progress the parish of Thurles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There was sustained applause from the congregation when David made his way up onto the Altar to receive his medal from Archbishop Kieran – an appreciation which deeply touched him and his family. He was congratulated by many people but was still very much visibly in shock at the presentation when past and present members of the Pastoral Team were photographed with him in the Sanctuary afterwards.

Congratulations to David on being awarded with the Papal medal – fitting recognition of an enormous contribution to the parish of Thurles over many years.