Archbishop Eamon Martin congratulates Bishop Donal McKeown on his appointment as Bishop of Derry

25 Feb 2014

Archbishop Eamon Martin congratulates Bishop Donal McKeown on his appointment as Bishop of Derry

Today, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, as the new Bishop of Derry. Welcoming this announcement Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, has released the following statement:

I am delighted to share in the joy of my home Diocese of Derry as Pope Francis names Bishop Donal McKeown as the new Bishop of the Diocese. I know that Bishop Donal will receive a warm welcome from the people, priests and religious of Derry. Bishop Donal brings many gifts to his new role. I got to know him first as a fellow school principal and later during my time as Secretary to the Bishops’ Conference. He is friendly and kind and he has been a great support to me since my ordination as Archbishop last April. I look forward to working very closely with Bishop Donal in the future. Bishop Donal has experience and understanding of a wide range of issues, especially in education, pastoral renewal, youth ministry and vocations work. He has a love for the Irish language and he’s not a bad singer either – that should help him in the ‘town I love so well’! As well as congratulating him, I offer him my prayerful support on the new tasks he is taking on. May Saint Columba, Saint Eugene and all the saints of the Derry Diocese bless him. Guím gach rath Dé air agus ar a chuid saothair.

ENDS

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