VERY REV. COLUM MURPHY P.P.
Father Colum is from Rostrevor, County Down and was ordained to the Priesthood in 2014 – he was aged 34. Colum served for five years as Curate in Newry Cathedral Parish before taking a sabbatical to do a P.G.C.E. followed by a two-year teaching post in Liverpool. On his return to Ireland in 2022 he became Curate in the parishes of Moyraverty and Seagoe, before being appointed as Parish Priest of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s, Lurgan in September 2024.
A proud Down man and both G.A.A. player and supporter he hopes to be able to support and get involved with some of the clubs here in Lurgan. Colum’s father live in Rostrevor. His sister Bronagh died in 2019, and his mother died in 2025.
Father Colum resides at 70 North Street, Lurgan. County Armagh. BT67 9AH.
Telephone: 028 3832 3161
E-mail: murphycvj80@gmail.com
REV. COLUM WRIGHT C.C.
Father Colum is a native of Newry. For Colum ministries in our Church started a few months after he received his First Holy Communion when he became an Altar Server in Saint Catherine’s. As a teenager, he sang at the very first folk Mass that took place in Newry Parish, was a member of the Cathedral Choir as well as an acoustic guitarist at the Sunday Youth Mass in Saint Brigid’s Church all before heading off to study for the Priesthood at the tender age of 17.
Colum was ordained in the Cathedral of Saint’s Patrick and Colman, Newry in 1987 and has ministered in Lurgan, Kilbroney, Newry, Aghaderg and Donaghmore. After a year’s leave because of sickness Colum returned once more to minister in Lurgan. He has 3 sisters. His parents died in 2022 and 2023.
Colum is the author of the book: ‘Angels inspire a little higher’. His hobbies include gardening and writing.
Father Colum resides at Saint Paul’s Presbytery, 54 Francis Street, Lurgan. County Armagh.
Telephone: 028 3832 7173
E-mail: colum.wright@btinternet.com
REV. KINGSLEY MICHAEL IDOGHOR S.M.M.M
Kingsley is from Nigeria where his mother, 4 brothers and 4 sisters presently live. His father died in 2000. Kingsley began his priestly formation at the age of 21 and was ordained in Abia State, Nigeria in 2014 – he is a member of the religious order: ‘Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy’. He has ministered in Aguneze in Imo State, Cameroon, Legos and Edinburgh before joining us here in Lurgan in 2023. His pastimes include reading, playing basketball, supporting Manchester United and cooking. Kingsley speaks his local dialect, English and German fluently as well as some Polish and French.
Father Kingsley resides at The Parochial House, 66 North Street, Lurgan. County Armagh.
Telephone: 028 3832 3161
E mail: kidoghor153@yahoo.com
REV. KEVIN DEVINE - DEACON
Kevin is a native of Portadown. Along with his wife Moya, they now live in the townland of Kilmore, Lurgan. They have five adult children and five grandchildren. Before retirement, Kevin worked as a school teacher. He was one of our first parishioners to serve as an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist when they were commissioned in the mid 80’s, as well as being a regular Minister of the Word. Kevin was a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Liturgy Team, and trained as a Marriage Guidance Councillor for CMAC (now Accord) in the 90’s. He has also served as a governor for several of the local schools.
After Ordination, in October 2013, Kevin was assigned to the Parishes of St Peter and St Paul, where he has worked alongside the priests of the parishes ministering to the spiritual needs of both parish communities.
Telephone 028 3832 3161
Email: deaconkevin628@gmail.com
REV. PEARSE THORNBURY - DEACON
Pearse was born and raised in Lurgan, where he continues to live with his wife, Colette, and their three daughters, Niamh and twins Eimear and Roisin.
He attended St Michael’s Grammar School, Lurgan, where he completed his GCSEs and A Levels, before graduating from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in History. Pearse has enjoyed a successful career in the Civil Service.
Outside of work and ministry, Pearse is a keen supporter of Glasgow Celtic and enjoys travelling and music. He has also volunteered with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society for several years, a ministry of service that he finds both fulfilling and rewarding.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pearse began discerning a call to the diaconate. After four years of prayer and study, he was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Dromore in Newry Cathedral on 28 September 2025. Following his ordination, Archbishop Eamon Martin appointed him to begin his ministry in the parishes of St Peter’s and St Paul’s, Lurgan, where he now serves the people of God through the ministries of charity, word and liturgy.
Telephone: 028 3832 3161
Email: ppmtho@gmail.com