13 Facts About Alphonsus Cullinan

Alphonsus "Phonsie" Cullinan was born on 7 May 1959 and is an Irish Roman Catholic prelate who has served as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore since 2015.

For six hours on Ash Wednesday 2025, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan stood on the streets of Waterford City, spreading faith and distributing ashes to thousands.

Alphonsus Cullinan moved with his family to Limerick, where he attended the Salesian Primary and John F Kennedy National Schools, and secondary school at Crescent College Comprehensive.

Alphonsus Cullinan studied primary teaching at Mary Immaculate College, completing a Bachelor of Education in 1981.

Alphonsus Cullinan's first teaching appointment was in Castleconnell, where he taught for six years, during which time he worked part-time for the Bunratty Castle Entertainers, before moving to Spain, where he taught English for two years in Colegio Penalba in Valladolid.

Alphonsus Cullinan began studying for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1989, completing a two-year course in philosophy before completing further studies in theology.

Alphonsus Cullinan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Limerick on 12 June 1994.

Alphonsus Cullinan returned to the Diocese of Limerick in 2004, where he was appointed chaplain to the local institute of technology.

Alphonsus Cullinan was appointed parish priest in Rathkeale in 2011.

Alphonsus Cullinan was appointed Bishop-elect of Waterford and Lismore by Pope Francis on 2 February 2015.

Alphonsus Cullinan caused controversy in September 2017 over comments he made on the HPV vaccination programme in Irish schools, which led to criticism from a number of sources, including the then-Minister for Health, Simon Harris.

Alphonsus Cullinan subsequently apologised if his remarks were misinterpreted outside of their respective context.

Alphonsus Cullinan made headlines on 31 October 2017, over comments he made referring to abortion as "not a medical treatment".