As President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference I warmly welcome today’s appointment by Pope Francis of Bishop Dermot Farrell of Ossory as the new Archbishop of Dublin to succeed Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Archbishop-elect Farrell is a hardworking and personable colleague with many skills and qualities to bring to his new ministry as Archbishop of Dublin. With my fellow bishops, and with laity, religious and clergy from across the country, I offer him my prayerful support as he undertakes the huge responsibility of shepherding the People of God in Ireland’s largest diocese and capital city.
Archbishop-elect Farrell’s priestly and episcopal ministry has been imbued with a deep understanding of theology and science together with a strong pastoral instinct and desire to fulfil the mission of the Gospel in both word and deed. He brings a grounded spirituality, solid teaching and communication skills to his ministry. His previous significant contributions as president of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, parish priest of Dunboyne & Kilbride, Vicar-General of the Diocese of Meath and National Director of the Permanent Diaconate have already provided him with a strong foundation for his ongoing episcopal leadership and ministry.
Since his appointment as Bishop of Ossory in January 2018, Archbishop-elect Farrell has served the Irish Catholic Bishop’s Conference with characteristic efficiency and vision in his role as Finance Secretary, as a member of its Standing Committee, as a member of its Commission for Planning, Communications & Resources, as well as in his undertaking of important roles in the agencies, Veritas and Trócaire. I am confident that this experience will greatly enhance his readiness for his new pastoral and administrative responsibilities and challenges.
Over the last year, particularly as we have grappled with the challenges and uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have found Archbishop-elect Farrell to be an astute, wise and hugely supportive adviser and contributor to the work of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. In a short time he has become a highly respected colleague who has great gifts to bring, not only to the Archdiocese of Dublin, but also to the wider Church in Ireland. I very much look forward to working closely with him in this regard.
On this special day for Archbishop-elect Farrell, for his family, brother clergy, friends and in particular for the faithful of the Diocese of Ossory and his native Diocese of Meath, I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the new archbishop in his decisions and help fulfil the potential of his many gifts for the benefit of the parishioners, religious and priests of his new home-diocese of Dublin, and beyond.
ENDS
- Archbishop Eamon Martin is President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
For media contact: Annette O’Donnell +353 878143462 director of communications for the Archdiocese of Dublin, and Martin Long +353 861727678 director of the Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth.
