County Roscommon parish priest delighted to have become an Irish citizen

As a new year dawns Indian native and parish priest of Oran and Kilbride Fr Pravin Dhason will not only be celebrating his 10th anniversary of being ordanined a priest but will be doing so after becoming an Irish citizen just prior to Christmas.

Hailing from a small fishing hamlet in the region of Tamilnadu in South India, Fr Pravin came to Ireland in June 2017 and was appointed parish priest of St Patrick’s Oran in August 2020 and of Kilbride in November 2022.

He told the Roscommon Herald that he was “very happy having made the move to Ireland and I consider it important to become a citizen because I’m living here and working for the faithful of this diocese. I now understand the history, culture and the laws of the land.” 

 “In 2017 I came to Ireland to work in the Diocese of Elphin. I was encouraged by my Bishop Emeritus in India to go and work outside India and I made the decision to come to Ireland. I hadn’t planned to stay so long, but with the support of Most Rev. Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Most Rev. Nazarene Soosai, Diocese of Kottar I have stayed this length. This allowed me to be eligible to apply and get Irish citizenship.” 

He along with fellow priest Fr Yashin Jos, parish priest of Riverstown, came to Ireland together, and both were made official citizens the week before Christmas at the National Convention Centre in Dublin. Afterwards many local people sent them messages of both welcome and congratulations.

“My parishioners will have a fellow Irish citizen as their parish priest,” he remarked.

Recalling his earlier years in County Roscommon he said: “Initially, I was appointed as curate in Roscommon Town by Bishop Doran. This tenure lasted for three years.” He then became parish priest of Oran and later of Kilbride.

He was ordained a priest in 2014 at the age of 31 and will be celebrating his 10th anniversary on September 6th next.

“I come from a small fishing hamlet in the state/region of Tamilnadu, South India. My mother tongue is Tamil. My father, a hard-working fisherman and my mother, a house wife helped my brother and I to grow in a pious Christian environment. Their prayer life has always been a source of inspiration for me. My schooling was completed in the church run schools in my hometown, where a desire for a priestly vocation was nurtured. The priests and nuns who were working in our parish guided me to pursue my vocation to priesthood.” 

Having completed his higher secondary education, which is equivalent to the Leaving Cert here, he joined St. Aloysius Minor Seminary. “I furthered my education by completing a B.A. in English Literature and a Diploma in Philosophy and a Bachelors in Theology, which I did in the Sacred Heart Seminary, Chennai, Tamilnadu.

“I was ordained a priest in 2014 . After my ordination, I served as the assistant parish priest in three different parishes. Simultaneously I undertook a Bachelor in Law and a M.A. in English Literature. After arriving in Ireland, I continued with my studies in the discipline of psychology and graduated in 2022 with the H. Dip in psychology. I am now undertaking a PhD in Psychology at Maynooth University.” 

He acknowledged that the lack of priests has certainly added to his existing, extensive responsibilities but paid tribute to the community and people of the parish who assist him. “I believe, when there is more work to do in the Lord’s vineyard, He also provides the extra strength. It is also heartening to note that the community realising this fact is coming forward more and more to share responsibilities.” 

Understanding the present controversy surrounding immigrants coming to Ireland he told the Herald: “Ireland is well renowned as a safe, neutral country allowing cultural values, but the cultural values and the laws of the state need to be respected. We all see on St Patrick’s Day how is it celebrated in every corner of the world, as the Irish people are all over the world. They bring their cultures and values with them and integrate into their new country."

Thankfully he personally has not had any bad experiences in relation to his nationality and offered his advice to those who have moved here, or are thinking of moving here, saying: “I would say to those who come into local communities and parishes that the Irish people are extremely welcoming and hospitable and are known for their ‘Cead mile failte’. Work on your English if it is not your first language and this is most important. There are English language classes available so avail of them and also learn to drive if you don’t know that already.” As he looks to the year ahead as a new a Irish citizen and enters his 10th year as a priest Fr Pravin concluded: “It is my ardent prayer, that everybody has a Blessed and prosperous year ahead.“