Vatican announces series of major changes which will impact Roscommon dioceses

Pope Francis has this morning announced a series of major episcopal changes in the Irish Church, which will have an impact locally.

The announcement was made this morning simultaneously in Rome by the Vatican and in Tuam by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayer.

Under the new restructuring plan the six dioceses that comprise the Western Province will be overseen by just three bishops instead of six.

The retirement of Bishop John Fleming of Killala, County Mayo triggered the move.

Pope Francis announced that Bishop Paul Dempsey, is to leave the Diocese of Achonry, headquartered in Ballaghaderreen, to take up a position as an auxiliary bishop in Dublin, the country’s largest diocese. Dr Dempsey is likely to be ear-marked for renewal and outreach to young people in Dublin.

His position in Achonry will be taken on by Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin who will administer Achonry while continuing in his role in the Diocese of Elphin.

Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam has been appointed to oversee the diocese of Killala as Apostolic Administrator in addition to his role in Tuam.

“We know from personal experience that life is a process of adaptation to changing circumstances. Although we seek to preserve at all times our essential identity, we adopt measures to meet new challenges as they arise. That is true also of the life of the Church and it is reflected in what we are doing today,” said His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland during Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam.

“To meet the evolving needs of the Church in the ecclesiastical Province of Tuam, it is necessary to envisage a gradual process of reorganisation, which will, it is hoped, give added impetus and vitality to the communities concerned.

“Today, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop Francis Duffy, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Killala, and he has likewise appointed the Bishop of Elphin, Bishop Kevin Doran, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry. Due to the retirement of Bishop John Fleming, by reason of age, and due to the episcopal reassignment of Bishop Paul Dempsey, who will now become Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin, the Dioceses of Killala and Achonry have become vacant Episcopal Sees entrusted to the pastoral care of their respective Apostolic Administrator.

“In due time, and following careful assessment and consultation, the present Dioceses of Tuam and Killala on the one hand, and Elphin and Achonry on the other, may be governed by one Bishop in each case, just as the Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert are today governed by one Bishop. If this process evolves still further, the associated Dioceses may then merge fully under their Bishop, and, in this way, the six Dioceses in the Province of Tuam will eventually become three.

“They say "in union there is strength". Thus, with pooled resources and combined endeavours, and trusting strongly in the grace of God, we can look to the future with hope and confidence,” said the Apostolic Nuncio.