Bishop Kevin Doran and Bishop Michael Duignan, who also unite dioceses in persona episcopi welcomed the appointment of the new Bishop of Killala. With the appointment of Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam as the new Bishop of Killala, the West of Ireland now has officially three faith communities led by the three bishops.
In a joint statement, Bishop Doran Achonry and Elphin and Bishop Duignan of Clonfert and Galway, Kilmacduagh, and Kilfenora, said that “The uniting of both dioceses in the person of Archbishop Francis follows a similar pattern to the uniting of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora with the Diocese of Clonfert and the Diocese of Achonry with the Diocese of Elphin. This is restructuring for renewal, and we welcome it.”
The bishops said their “prayer is that, under his shepherding care, the coming together of the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Killala will be a most blessed and fruitful one.” Both bishops are “conscious of the fresh challenges and the new possibilities that are presented to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the two dioceses”.
With Tuam and Killala uniting in the person of Archbishop Duffy, Bishop Doran and Bishop Duignan “look forward to continuing our work with Archbishop Francis and indeed the entire people of God in these parts to progress this project into the future.”
“The ‘West is Awake’,” the bishops said, “to the importance of developing new ecclesiastical structures which are consistent with a renewed sense of mission.”
