His Holiness Pope Francis has today appointed Monsignor Dermot Pius Farrell, Parish Priest of Dunboyne & Kilbride in the Diocese of Meath, as the new Bishop of Ossory. This announcement will be made public at midday in the Vatican (11.00am Irish time).
There will be a photocall opportunity with Bishop-elect Farrell this morning following the celebration of 10.00am Mass in the Cathedral of Saint Mary, Kilkenny.
Please see below brief biographical details for Bishop-elect Farrell.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Diocese of Ossory
The Diocese of Ossory consists of County Kilkenny and portions of counties Laois and Offaly. The Catholic population of Ossory is 84,729. There are 42 parishes in the diocese and 89 churches. There are 58 priests active in the diocese and 15 others. The patron saint of the Diocese of Ossory is Saint Kieran. The retired bishops of Ossory are Bishop Laurence Forristal (September 2007) and Bishop Seamus Freeman SAC (due to ill health, July 2016).
- Brief biography
Dermot Farrell was born on 22 November 1954 in Castletown-Geoghegan Parish, County Westmeath in the Diocese of Meath. He was baptised Dermot Pius a few days later in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar.
1959 – 1967 Primary Schools in Castletown-Geoghegan and Streamstown.
1967 – 1972 Post-Primary Education at Saint Finian’s College (Diocesan Boarding School), Mullingar.
1972 – 1976 Bachelor of Science Degree at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
1976 – 1979 Bachelor of Divinity Degree at Maynooth.
1979 – 1981 Licence in Theology Degree at Maynooth.
7 June 1980 Ordained priest for Diocese of Meath.
1981 – 1985 Curate, Cathedral Parish, Mullingar.
1985 – 1988 Doctorate Studies at Gregorian University, Rome. Title of thesis: The Dogmatic Foundations of Bernard Haring’s Thought on Christian Morality – Director: Dr Philip Rosato S.I.
1987 Director of Formation in Irish College, Rome.
1989 – 1990 Curate in Tullamore Parish and lecturer in Moral Theology at Maynooth.
1990 Appointed Executive Assistant to the President in Maynooth, continuing to lecture in Moral Theology.
1993 Appointed Vice-President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
1996 – 2007 President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
6 June 1997 Honorary Prelate of His Holiness.
2007 – presently Parish Priest of Dunboyne & Kilbride.
2009 Vicar General to the Diocese of Meath.
- Please contact the Catholic Communications Office if you require a photograph of Bishop-elect Farrell for publication.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 (in Kilkenny) and Katie Crosby 00353 (0) 86 862 3298
