Our much loved Mgr O’Sulllivan celebrates 65 years of priesthood.
Monsignor Basil O’Sullivan, Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish in Dunblane will celebrate 65 years since his ordination as a priest on 17 June 2021. He has been the priest in Dunblane since 1988 and was one of the first to arrive at Dunblane Primary School following the terrible attack on pupils and staff on 13th March 1996.
Sixteen years later in 2012 Mgr O’Sullivan travelled to Sandy Hook in Connecticut to support Fr Bob Weiss following a similar school shooting there and featured in an award-winning Netflix documentary on the US tragedy. COVID restrictions have forced Dunblane parishioners to organise an outdoor Mass on the evening of the 17th June together with a compilation video of congratulatory messages from parishioners and well-wishers from around the world.
Speaking ahead of the event, Bishop Stephen Robson of Dunkeld, said: “On behalf of all the priests, Religious and People of the diocese, I wish to thank him most sincerely for his wonderful example of priestly service to us all. He has always been there for his people, through thick and thin, serving with fidelity and love. Mgr Basil has always been there to comfort those who still mourn the terrible attack on Dunblane Primary School in 1996 and to help heal the memories of that tragic day. I wish him Ad Multos Annos on this very significant anniversary, and God’s blessings on his future among us.”
Mike Robbins Chair of the Holy Family Parish Council added; “Since his arrival in Dunblane in 1988 he has continued to build our church, spiritually and physically. We have celebrated many happy occasions over the years, from First Holy Communions to our first pilgrimage to Rome. He has led our community through some dark times, notably the tragedy in 1996, supporting those directly affected, our parishioners and the wider community of Dunblane and marking the Anniversary, in the best traditions of the Church.