James Hurley, a native of Tralee, Co. Kerry – with roots in Cork, Limerick, Clare and Mayo – was one of 32 deacons ordained to the priesthood for the Opus Dei Prelature in Rome on Saturday, 8 May, by Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei. The new priests come from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay.

James, who was born in 1970, is the son of John and Shiela Hurley of Oakpark, Tralee. He attended Listellick National School and Coláiste Mhuire CBS, Tralee, before going to the University of Limerick to study electronic engineering in 1987. On graduating, he began working in publishing in Dublin but returned to UL in 1997 to study for a graduate diploma in technical communication and later for a postgraduate degree in media studies at Mary Immaculate College (2000-2004). Before moving to Rome for theological studies in 2005, he taught part-time courses in journalism at Ennis Business College, Co. Clare.

While engaged in his postgraduate studies, James was very involved with social projects both in Limerick and abroad. He headed up the Citywise initiative when it was introduced to Southill in Limerick. Citywise is a voluntary organisation providing educational support for young people living in disadvantaged environments, supporting the role of schools. James also took part in summer volunteer social projects in Uganda and, stimulated by these, began his academic study of the role of media in aspects of Third World development.

James is a keen sportsman and in his schoolboy days played with Na Gaeil GAA Club and Tralee Dynamos Soccer Club. In Limerick he was a member of the UL Harding Cup Soccer Squad — which won the Univerisities’ Plate in 1988 — while continuing to play Gaelic with Na Gaeil in Tralee at weekends. He was also a keen debater and won the Ciarán Treacy Memorial Trophy in 1992 and was a participant in the World Debating Championships in TCD in the same year.

James’ father, John, comes from Castletownshend, Skibbereen, and his mother is one of the O’Grady’s from Elton, Co. Limerick, her mother being a McEllin from Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo.

See https://opusdei.org/art.php?p=38568 for video coverage and further information.