Address by Archbishop Neary at the Installation Mass of Archbishop Duffy

10 Jan 2022

Teachtaire Dé inár measc
Tar eis a bhaisteadh, chuir Íosa tús lena chuid oibre mar theachtaire Dé ar an saol seo.  Inniu, ar fhéile Baisteadh ár dTiarna, cuireann ár nÁrdeaspag nua, Proinsias, tús lena chuid oibre mar theachtaire Dé in ár measc.  Moladh go deo le Dia.  

Is tú mo Mhac muirneach
Níl dabt ar bith, a Árdeaspaig Proinsias, ach go bhfuil Dia ár nAthair ag rá leatsa tríd an Soiscéal inniu go bhfuil a bheannacht tugtha duit agus tu ar tí do dhualgaisí mar Ard Easpag in Ard Deoise Thuama a ghlacadh ort féin: “Is tú mo Mhac muirneach: is duit a thug mé gnaoi”.

Fáilte romih ‘chuile duine
A phobal Dé, tagann an pribhléid chugamsa, fáilte a chur romhaibh uile go Tuaim trathnóna don ócáid áthasach agus stairiúl seo.  

Cuirim fáilte roimh na daoine atá anseo in Árdeaglais na Deastógala i dTuaim.  Cuirim fáilte romhaibh atá linn tríd an idirlín agus an webcam, agus cuirim fáilte roimh lucht éisteachtachta Galway Bay FM agus Midwest Radio atá ag éisteacht leis an searmanais seo.

Thanks be to God
A Phobal Dé, what a wonderful day this is for the Archdiocese of Tuam, when we gather – in person or virtually – to witness and to celebrate the arrival of our new Archbishop among us.  We cannot but feel the presence of God on this joyous and historic occasion.  God’s immortal words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah have a special relevance for us in Tuam today: “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will pasture you wisely and discreetly. […].  For I know the plans I have in mind for you, […], plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 3:15; 29:11)  Our response, then, is a simple but heartfelt “Thanks be to God”.

A welcome for the Apostolic Nuncio
It is my privilege to welcome each of you to Tuam to this Mass of Installation in our recently beautifully refurbished Cathedral of the Assumption.  In the first place, I welcome His Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, representing the Holy Father, Pope Francis.  On a personal note, Your Excellency, this is your third visit to this Cathedral in recent months, and on each occasion you have been the bearer of good news.  In August you honoured us with your presence as we dedicated this new altar and you brought a message from the Holy Father for the people of Tuam.  In November you returned at the behest of Pope Francis to announce the appointment of our new Archbishop.  And today, you come to celebrate his installation and you bring with you the Holy Father’s letter, his mandate confirming the appointment of Archbishop Francis.  Thank you for the way in which you exercise your special and very important ministry among us.

… welcome to all
Welcome to my brother Bishops, the priests, deacons, religious and to the people of God from the Archdiocese of Tuam and further afield – especially Ardagh & Clonmacnois and Kilmore. We are truly delighted that you have come to share this day with us.

A special welcome for Archbishop Francis
On my own behalf and on yours, I reserve the warmest welcome for our new Archbishop.  Céad míle, míle fáilte romhat a theachtaire Dé!  Francis, this is your day and we are delighted for you; we congratulate you on your appointment, we rejoice with you, we pray for you, and we offer our wholehearted support as you assume your new responsibilities as Metropolitan Archbishop.

On a personal note…
If I may be permitted to express my deep personal gratitude to the People of God that is the Church of Tuam, the lay faithful young and old, religious, priests and deacons.  I thank you that over fifty years as a priest, thirty years as a Bishop and twenty-seven years as your Archbishop you have prayed for me, befriended me, supported and encouraged me.  From the islands off the western seaboard to the island parish of Moore on the eastern boundary, you are the people from whom I have learnt so much.  With you I have journeyed, we have prayed together, we have celebrated together, we have dealt with challenges together, and very briefly today I want thank you for being the people that you are, for reminding me of the God whom I have been called and chosen to serve.  For all of that I want to express my deep gratitude to you.  And because I know you so well, I am confident that your relationship with Archbishop Francis will be characterised by the same warmth, affection and joy.

Go raibh beannacht Dé oraibh, agus faoi choimirce na Maighdine Muire sibh anois agus í gcónaí.

The Apostolic Mandate
I now invite Sr. Mary Lyons, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Tuam, to read the Holy Father’s Letter, the Papal Mandate.

ENDS

  • This address was delivered by Archbishop Michael Neary in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, at the start of the Mass installing Archbishop Francis Duffy as the new Archbishop of Tuam. This Mass was celebrated on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 9 September 2022.                      

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.