Holy Cross priest Fr Gary Donegan has spoken of his gratitude for the support he has received after eye surgery.
The Fermanagh-born cleric underwent the operation last week to restore the sight in his right eye after losing his vision a few weeks ago.
He said he was “indebted” to his fellow Passionist priests and the church community for their help as he recovers.
“I still have no sight in the eye, but my surgeon is happy at how it went and confident that all has gone well,” he said.
“It will now take four to six weeks to know exactly what way the eye has recovered.”
Fr Donegan said medics have told him he had suffered a “bleed to the eye, which caused extensive damage”.
“I woke up one morning and was shaving and put one hand over the good eye and thought, ‘I can’t see’,” he said.
“I went to eye casualty and got a scan of the eye and it was found that the retina was detached and other things.”
As he recovers, he said he was thankful to his fellow clerics who have stepped in to support him.
“I am very grateful for their help as they have kindly offered assistance during my convalescence,” he said.
“And also to all those who have offered their kind wishes and support.”
One event that Fr Donegan said he was determined to attend was a ‘Vigil for Peace in Palestine’, which was held at Holy Cross Church in Ardoyne.
“It was for all faiths and no faiths, we sang and we said prayers,” he said.
“People came up and lit a candle and everyone was united in thinking about peace in Palestine.
“We first got a very generous donation of £3,000 and then we decided to hold a collection and along with the great help of Ardoyne Kickhams led by their Cathaoirleach Brian McKee, we raised £8,000.
“The money raised is going to be donated to Unicef, who will then distribute the funds.”
