Churchgoers at St Mary's Church, Blackhill, have paid tribute to Father Dermott Donnelly, who died suddenly last week.
Fr Dermott, as the congregation at the County Durham Catholic church knew him, made many friends in the parish, near Consett, when he was priest there, and church steward Brian Robinson, who has been a member of the church community for all of his 68 years, led tributes to the priest, saying that he had made a big impression of everyone at the church in the two years he served there.
"He was sent to our parish as his first priesthood and he wasn't with us long enough," said Brian. "He served as youth minister and set up the Emmaus Youth Village just down the road from St Mary's, which has since hosted thousands of youngsters. He left St Mary's in Blackhill when he became Dean of St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle. As well as being a very gifted priest he was a fantastic human being, and his priesthood left a legacy at Blackhill. He will never be forgotten. It could be coincidence, but we had the biggest congregation since lockdown in church this weekend and all people wanted to talk about was Fr Dermott."
Fr Dermott, probably best known for being the brother of television presenter Dec Donnelly, died Friday afternoon at the age of 55 after collapsing at the Emmaus Youth Village on Wednesday. His cause of death is thought to have been a bleed on the brain. "He had been complaining of a headache for a couple of days when he was involved at the Youth Festival in the Emmaus Village," said Brian. "A couple of people said that he should get it looked at, but before he had a chance, he collapsed while getting ready to carry out a mass for 350 young people at the festival. I think the medics knew that there was no hope really and his family were sent for as soon as he arrived at University Hospital North Durham.
"It is such a sad, sad loss. The Good Lord must have something in mind for him, but it's a sad loss for everyone and no-one could step into the job of youth minister the way he did. The last time I saw him was two weeks ago at a homily to mark his 30 years as a priest. There were some very nice things said about him in the service and he joked that the speakers should have kept them for his Eulogy. Those words turned out to be a lot more prophetic than we realised at the time.
"I noticed on that day that everyone referred to him as just Dermott, not Fr Dermott, as people felt that he was a friend as well as their priest. He was always smiling and loved a joke. It was noticeable that the congregation fell when he was called to be the Dean at St Mary's in Newcastle. Everyone loved him - he used to come down to the floor when he did the homily and could relate to people. I think many of the congregation used to go for the craic - he was of Irish descent and he loved a bit of craic.
"I remember one member of the congregation telling him he was much funnier than his famous brother - and he didn't need an autocue! When he left Blackhill, the Bishop said we only had ourselves to blame, because everyone kept telling him that Fr Dermott was wasted in our parish.
"I doubt we'll see the likes of him again. Fr Dermott was a one-off and no-one at St Mary's can get their heads around it. But of course our loss is nothing compared to his family's loss. They are an absolutely lovely family, and they will be completely devastated. "
Fr Dermott's death was announced on Twitter by his famous brother, Declan Donnelly, who is one half of the presenting team Ant and Dec, with Anthony McPartlin. “I am heartbroken to tell you that my darling brother Fr Dermott, TweeterPriest, sadly passed away this afternoon. We are all beyond devastated. Thank you for your messages of sympathy and support, they are appreciated,” Dec wrote on Twitter.
The priest had previously said that his famous brother helped him connect with young people in the parish, but he didn't advertise his connection to the much-loved Geordie duo. “I don’t advertise that I’m Dec’s brother, but the kids always seem to know. It bridges the gap between me and them,” he said.
Dec often returned to the area to participate in masses and church events celebrated by his brother, who could himself often be seen in the crowd during his brother’s events. And Brian said that many in St Mary's got to know Dec and the rest of Fr Dermott's family during his time at the parish, and that Dec was very generous with both the setting up of the Emmaus Youth Village and at events while his brother was parish priest. "He's a great lad and has no airs and graces about him whatsoever," said Brian. "What you see on TV is what you get in person."
Fr Dermott served as a priest for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle for 30 years, most recently assigned to the parish of St Joseph’s Church in Stanley. Stanley, Dipton & Byermoor Catholic Parishes shared the news and asked for parishioners to "pray for the repose of his soul". The group announced on Thursday that Fr Dermott was "extremely unwell" in hospital and had requested prayers for him. A similar message was posted on the Facebook page of Pontop Partnership, a group of 10 Catholic parishes in the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Following the news of his death, those who had known him and worked with him shared an outpouring of fond tributes to social media.
Members of the Catholic community have been sharing their shock and grief since Fr Dermott's death was announced on Friday.
Bishop Robert Byrne of Hexham and Newcastle said he was “shocked” by the priest’s death. “Father Dermott will be sorely missed for his energy, enthusiasm and ability to engage with all who met him. This is particularly true of his work with young people and youth ministry in the Diocese – bringing many disadvantaged and dispirited young people to Christ and Catholicism. Father Dermott truly lived his faith, and in doing so gave so much to others. It is with great gratitude that we will remember him and all he selflessly gave,” he said in a statement.
Monica Conmee, the head of education for CAFOD – the developmental aid agency of the English and Welsh bishops – said she was “hugely” saddened to hear about Father Donnelly’s death, calling him “a great friend of CAFOD who witnessed a burning passion and commitment to the fullness of life for all. Father Dermott chose to stand in the light, and through his immense talent and gifts, 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,” she said.
Ant McPartlin also paid tribute to Fr Dermott. TV star McPartlin, 46, wrote on Twitter: "Fr Dermott you were the kindest, wisest man I knew. Rest in peace my friend. You will never be forgotten. My thoughts, prayers and love are with your wonderful family. The world has lost a special man. X."
Now read:
- Five new North East walking routes aim to uncover the hidden history beneath our feet
- Kate Garraway thanks dedicated fans who helped to find husband Derek's medication left in a cab
- 'Time isn't on our side' - Family of Sunderland identical triplet with rare cancer raising £260k for 'lifesaving' vaccine
- Covid vaccine dilemma for health bosses as cases surge in the UK
- Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade dies from cancer aged just 23
