Statement by Archbishop Eamon Martin on the announcement today by the Holy Father Pope Francis of Monsignor Laurence (Larry) Duffy as the new Bishop of Clogher.

08 Dec 2018

Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “I warmly welcome the appointment by Pope Francis of Monsignor Larry Duffy as Bishop of Clogher.

“Bishop-elect Larry will bring to his role a wealth of pastoral experience having ministered in various parishes – both North and South – in the diocese. As Clogher is one of our neighbouring dioceses within the metropolitan province of Armagh, I personally look forward to working very closely with him at a local level. I have no doubt that Bishop-elect Larry will also bring his keen sense of pastoral priorities to bear on our discussions at the Bishops’ Conference, including the benefit of experience and wider perspective gained during his missionary placement in Kenya.

“I offer every blessing and good wish today to the people, religious and priests of the Diocese of Clogher. In a special way I pay tribute to Monsignor Joseph McGuinness for his commitment and dedication as Diocesan Administrator since the retirement of Bishop Liam MacDaid in October 2016. During this time Monsignor Joe has contributed greatly to the discussions and work of the Bishops’ Conference, not least as chairman of our Council for Liturgy. May God continue to bless his ministry into the future.

“On this beautiful Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I pray that Mary, our Blessed Mother, will watch over and guide Bishop-elect Larry in his new calling. I offer my prayerful good wishes also to his family, friends and to all the faithful of the thirty-seven parishes of Clogher.”

ENDS

· Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The ecclesiastical province of Armagh comprises the dioceses of Ardagh & Clonmacnoise, Armagh, Clogher, Derry, Down & Connor, Dromore, Kilmore, Meath and Raphoe.

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