In his first pastoral duty in the Diocese of Meath, Bishop-elect Thomas Deenihan visited Fr Eamonn Butler on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination. The new Bishop congratulated Fr Butler on this significant jubilee, thanking him for his pastoral ministry. He also took the opportuity to greet all the residents in Newbrook Nursing Home, prayed with them and gave them his blessing. The day coincided with the new Bishop’s 51st birthday.
A native of Moylough in the Parish of Oldcastle, Fr Butler was educated at St Finian’s College and Maynooth where he was ordained on 20 June 1948. He first served in the Diocese of Sacramento in California (1948-1952) before returning to the Diocese of Meath as a Curate in the parishes of Carnaross and Mountnugent. He taught at St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan from 1955 until 1960 and then in St Finian’s College, Mullingar from 1960 until 1978. He succeeded Fr Michael Jennings as Parish Priest of Drumconrath on 4 October 1979. Following his retirement, he has lived in Mullingar parish and assisted in the pastoral care of the sick. In recent months, he moved into Newbrook Nursing Home, Mullingar.
