PRESS RELEASE

26 NOVEMBER 2005

DEATH OF MOST REVEREND JAMES MCLOUGHLIN

RETIRED BISHOP OF GALWAY

(9th April 1929 – 25th November 2005)

The death has taken place of the former Bishop of Galway, Bishop James McLoughlin
on Friday 25th November at The Galway Clinic, Galway City. He was 76 years of age.

Upon hearing of his death, the Bishop of Galway, Most Rev Martin Drennan said:
“I am deeply saddened and shocked by the news of the death last night of Bishop
James McLoughlin, my predecessor as Bishop of Galway and great friend. Since
becoming Bishop of this diocese last July, I have enjoyed and greatly valued
his wisdom and support.

“Deeply loved and admired by the people and priests of Galway city and diocese,
Bishop James will be greatly missed by all, especially for his qualities of
prayerfulness, love of the Church, devotion to Our Lady, his serenity, his
humility and good humour. The clergy of the diocese will particularly miss
him for his supportive, stabilising presence.

“Bishop James celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest last year. Many people
in Galway have fond memories of personal experiences of meeting him in his
pastoral ministries over that time.

“I extend my sincerest sympathies to his brothers and sister-in-law, his
nieces and nephew, his family and friends.”

Bishop McLoughlin is survived by his two brothers Fr Aidan McLoughlin, O. Carm
and Mr Dermot Mc McLoughlin (Galway); and by his sister-in-law Joan McLoughlin,
nieces and a nephew.

Bishop James McLoughlin was born on 9th April 1929 at Cross Street, where his
parents the late Patrick McLoughlin and Winifred McLoughlin (nee McDermott)
ran a small wholesale grocery business. He is the eldest of three brothers.

He received his primary education at the Patrician Brothers school in Nuns’
Island and from there he went to St Mary’s College, Galway. He studied for
the priesthood at Maynooth and was ordained on 20th June 1954. From 1954 he
taught at St Mary’s College, Galway where he developed a keen interest in
basketball and amateur dramatics. He was appointed Diocesan Secretary in
September 1965. He served in this post under Bishop Michael Browne and
Bishop Eamonn Casey until his appointment as Parish Priest of the Cathedral
Parish in 1983.

His appointment as Bishop of Galway was announced by Pope John Paul II on
Wednesday, 10th February 1993 and he was ordained Bishop on Sunday 28th
March 1993. Bishop McLoughlin retired as Bishop of Galway and Apostolic
Administrator of Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora on Sunday 3rd July 2005.

Bishop McLoughlin was a member of the Department of Planning and
Communications and Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee
of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.

Funeral arrangements for Bishop McLoughlin will be announced in due course.

Ends
26 November 2005

Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
Fr Sean McHugh Diocesan Communications Officer (086 851 9325)

NOTE TO EDITORS:
* A photograph of Bishop McLoughlin is available at
www.catholiccommunications.ie
* The Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora has: 38 Parishes,
a Catholic Population of 105,406 and 72 Catholic Churches.
* The Patrons of the diocese are:
Galway: Our Lady Assumed into Heaven & St Nicholas
Kilmacduagh: St Colman
Kilfenora: St Fachanan

Click here for photo of Bishop James McLoughlin