Revd. Fr. Paul Creaner fr.creaner@liberalcatholics.uk
Fr.
Paul Creaner serves as a priest and a Belfast City Centre Chaplain. He
lives, works and serves in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ordained in 2018
by the late Bishop Pat Buckley at the Oratory Society, Fr. Paul joined
the Old Catholic Apostolic Church (OCAC) through incardination to
continue his ministry.Fr. Paul is a retired school teacher. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from The Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, qualifying him to teach Religious Education. Following his retirement from teaching in 2016, he began part-time work as a Senior Support Worker with Positive Futures, a registered charity supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injuries. Although, this is paid employment, Paul approaches his work as an outreach of his ministry.
Fr. Paul completed his priestly formation and education at Maynooth from 1982 to 1991 as a member of the Divine Word Missionaries. He studied at St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth, earning a Baccalaureate in Divinity along with comprehensive Philosophical and Theological studies. As a Priest of the Oratory Society, he performs all traditional sacramental duties.
Prior to Covid, Fr Paul made regular pastoral, prison visits. This is a ministry he is keen to re-establish in the near future. It is hoped that his incardination into the OCAC will help re-establish this ministry.
As a trained chaplain with the Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy, Fr. Paul has participated in the training of future chaplains. His role extends beyond traditional parish boundaries, reflecting his understanding that the church and its congregation are not confined to a single location. His colleagues at Positive Futures recognize his priestly vocation, often informally seeking his counsel and prayers.
