On 28 October last, in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, in the Diocese of Ossory, Monsignor Julien Kaboré, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland announced that his Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Father Niall Coll, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory.
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, welcomed the appointment. He said, “I want to offer my congratulations and prayerful good wishes to Bishop-elect Niall Coll, whom I have known for many years, on his appointment by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Ossory. He brings a wealth of educational expertise, along with strong pastoral instincts, to his new ministry. Father Coll will be well known to very many young teachers across the North and North West. He has a depth of experience of Religious Education and Religious Studies at third level which will be of immense value to our discussions at the table of the Irish Bishop’s Conference. He has also already made a significant contribution to ecumenical relationships on this island as a member of Irish Inter-Church Committee and Inter-Church meeting.
“As President of the Conference, I look forward to welcoming Bishop-elect Coll together with my brother bishops, especially at this time of renewal for the Church in Ireland as we continue our Synodal conversations at local and national level over the next five years.”
Speaking on his new appointment, Bishop-elect Coll, who is originally from Donegal, said, “Pondering the long journey from Donegal to Kilkenny, from the northwest extremity of Ulster to the southern extremes of Leinster, I draw courage from the memory of Saint Canice, patron of Kilkenny City and secondary patron of Ossory and obviously Saint Kieran the patron of Ossory.”
ENDS
