Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin attended the funeral mass for his brother, Father Dermott Donnelly, today.
The well-liked priest, who had just celebrated 30 years of ministry in the Catholic church, passed away in a hospital earlier this month after developing a serious illness.
Dec expressed his “heartbreak” following the accident and added, “We are all absolutely grieved.”
“Fr Dermott, you were the sweetest, wisest guy I knew,” Ant continued. Peace be with you, dear friend. We won’t ever forget you.
I am thinking about your amazing family and sending you my love and prayers. A remarkable man has been lost to the world.
At noon, the requiem mass was being held at Newcastle’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Yesterday evening, his body was accepted into St. Michael’s Church in the city’s West End.
Dermott, Dec, Martin, Eamonn, Camelia, Patricia, and Moira Donnelly all went to St Michael’s as children while growing up in Cruddas Park.
Dec wed Ali Astall there in 2015 under the supervision of his brother Dermo.
Dermott, Dec, Martin, Eamonn, Camelia, Patricia, and Moira Donnelly all went to St Michael’s as children while growing up at Cruddas Park.
Dec and Ali Astall were wed there in 2015, with his brother Dermott officiating the ceremony.
Since so many mourners were anticipated at the cathedral, St. Michael’s received a live stream of the mass.
The 55-year-old priest was well-known for his involvement in youth ministry and his work with young people. He served as a clergyman at Stanley’s St. Joseph’s Church in County Durham.
Bishop Robert Byrne of Hexham and Newcastle stated: “He sincerely lived his faith, and in doing so, he gave so much to others.”
We shall remember him and all that he selflessly gave with tremendous gratitude.
Fr. Dermott supported the charity The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod) throughout his professional life.
He was described as a “great friend of Cafod” by the organization’s director of education, Monica Conmee, who also noted that Fr. Dermott “chose to stand in the light” and “so generously guided thousands of young people to experience the love and light of God in their own lives, inspiring them to share this with others” through the use of his immense talent and gifts.
In 2014, Fr. Dermott appeared on Songs Of Praise alongside Hacker T. Dog from CBBC to respond to viewers’ inquiries about the church.
He went to Downing Street in April and prayed for peace alongside other religious leaders.