Mr. Lynch, who was born in Ennis, County Clare, became well-known while serving as a Catholic priest in New York during the AIDS pandemic.

He has received multiple accolades for his efforts, including President Michael D. Higgins' 2019 Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad.

For his philanthropic and advocacy efforts on behalf of LGBTQ+ individuals and those impacted by HIV/AIDS, Mr. Lynch was nominated for the Freedom of the City of London.

He called it a "honour" in remarks made prior to accepting the recognition.

When he was dealing directly with AIDS patients in New York in the 1980s, he claimed that the thought of being recognised in this way would have been the "furthest thing" from his dreams.

Following his stay in New York, Mr. Lynch established a gay priests' support group in London.

"I've always placed whatever accolades I receive in the perspective of many people, not just myself.

He clarified, "In this instance, Irish people who have rendered such service to London and wherever they go in the world." Nelson Mandela, Ed Sheeran, and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe are among the former recipients of the Freedom of the City of London.