A POPULAR Greenock churchman was joined by happy worshippers and senior church figures as he marked four decades in the priesthood.

Monsignor Denis Carlin, of St Mary’s Church in Greenock, celebrated his 40th anniversary with a special mass at the church, with Archbishop Philip Tartaglia and former Bishop of Paisley John Mone, who lives locally, both in attendance.

Denis was a fresh-faced 23-year-old when he became a priest and says he’s witnessed many changes over the years.

Monsignor Carlin said: “I am very happy and relieved to celebrate 40 years. When I was just ordained, a priest of 40 years to me would have been someone with one foot in the grave! There have been many changes in society and in the church.

“When I was ordained there were three or four priests in most parishes and the priest did everything that had to be done in the church. That cannot happen now — now there is only one priest in every parish.” The 63-year-old hails from Paisley but has a special place in his heart for Inverclyde and was delighted to return to Greenock six years ago after previously serving at St Andrew’s in the town.

He said: “I am very proud to serve as parish priest at St Mary’s, both the Catholic community and the wider community. It is the mother church for Catholics in the area.

“It was like coming home because I still had lots of friends from my first time here.

“I have always been very happy in Greenock. There’s a great openness, friendliness and co-operation among the people.” Mgr Carlin trained in Rome and was ordained at St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley on 29 June 1974.

He decided to mark the milestone this month as he was in Lourdes when the anniversary fell.

He said: “If you believe in the church you have to be optimistic. Everything is changing because the number of priests is lower than it was but the demands aren’t any less. We have to look at new ways of functioning as a church.

“There’s the increasing use of deacons in ministry and there is more scope for lay people to become involved.

“Lay people have to do more, which is a positive thing. We have to use the gifts we already have in the church but in a different way.” The priest has served in several parishes throughout the diocese and was given the honorary title of monsignor 14 years ago by the Pope in recognition of special service to the church.

When he left Greenock in 1985, he spent the next 20 years training young priests.

He said: “I spent six years as pastoral director of Chesters College in Bearsden and 14 years at the Royal as vice-rector and rector of Royal Scots College in Salamanca in Spain. I’ve spent half my time in the training of priests.” He says his vocation has been very worthwhile and fulfilling.

Monsignor Carlin said: “It has been a very fulfilling life in the church, more than I expected.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to be able to serve people in different ways and people have appreciated what I have done for them.”