Local priest ‘overwhelmed by generous response’ raising £34k for war-torn areas

Local priest ‘overwhelmed by generous response’ raising £34k for war-torn areas

9 July 2025

A LOCAL priest has raised over £34,000 to support life-saving humanitarian work in two of the world’s most war-torn areas.

Canon Sean Rogan, formerly Parish Priest of Downpatrick and now with Drumbo and Carryduff Parish, came up with the idea of a fundraising concert after seeing the plight of millions of people in Sudan and Gaza.

He decided to use the Drumbo and Carryduff Parish website to entertain parishioners by playing the piano and singing during lockdown before the idea progressed to the concert.

“As with so very many people I have been abhorred by what I am seeing in the media about the terrible plight of the people of Sudan and Gaza and the feeling of inadequacy in how to respond,” he said.

“Needless to say I’ve been overwhelmed by the extraordinary and generous response not only by the parishioners but also by people of different faiths and none.”

Canon Rogan continued: “During the famine in Ireland in the middle of the 19th century the Moslem Ottoman Sultan sent £1,000 for the relief of the starving Christians in Ireland, and it is also claimed that he dispatched ships loaded with food as well.

“I feel that it is incumbent on us in this island to help in any way we can those who are suffering so terribly in Gaza and Sudan, the vast majority of whom are of the Islamic faith. They are our brothers and sisters.”

Funds are being sent to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to help those suffering in Gaza, and to Trócaire to aid those who have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan.