On 10 April, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Bishop Paul Dempsey, up until now Bishop of Achonry, as Titular Bishop of Sita and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin. Pope Francis also appointed Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Killala; and, Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Achonry.
Furthermore, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop John Fleming, Bishop of Killala, on the grounds of age.
This announcement was announced by the Vatican at 12.00pm (11.00am Ireland time) on 10 April. The Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop Duffy, together with His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; Bishop Fleming; Bishop Doran; Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora, and Bishop of Clonfert; and, Bishop Dempsey, were the concelebrates at the Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, where the announcement was made after Mass.
Archbishop Duffy said, “The announcement of this level of change in the episcopate in one province at the same time is quite significant. It creates the possibility of exploring a closer union between the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Killala, and between the Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry, not unlike the process that is already underway in the Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert. Any such change would involve living communities and could not be simply structural or administrative. It would require careful discernment over some time, involving the whole people of God in the respective Dioceses.”
To read statements by His Excellency, Archbishop Montemayor; Archbishop Duffy, Bishop Fleming; Bishop Doran; Bishop Michael Duignan; Bishop Dempsey; Archbishop Farrell and, Archbishop Martin click here.
ENDS
