Caption Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, who will be installed on Sunday, 30 March, as Bishop of Achonry in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and Saint Nathy, Ballaghaderreen (Catholic Communications Office archive)
- From 3:00pm on Sunday, 30 March, the celebration of the Installation Mass will be livestreamed via the Cathedral’s webcam
You, or a representative, are invited to the celebration of Mass for the Episcopal Installation of Bishop Kevin Doran as the Bishop of Achonry. Details:
Time and date: 3.00pm on Sunday, 30 March 2025
Venue: Cathedral of the Annunciation and Saint Nathy, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, F45 FW27
In attendance: Laity, religious, clergy, family and guests
Media arrangements: As space is limited, journalists wishing to attend should register in advance with the Catholic Communications Office via [email protected].
At 2.00pm this Sunday, 30 March, Martin Long of the Catholic Communications Office, will be available to brief journalists at the dedicated media centre located in the presbytery, adjacent to the Cathedral, eircode F45 EE04. The media centre will be open until after the Mass is finished, and it will offer internet access and refreshments. Hard copies of the homily to be delivered by Bishop Doran, other addresses from the Mass, the installation booklet which contains details of the liturgy, the biography of Bishop Doran, and related information on the Diocese of Achonry, will be available in the media centre.
After the Mass, at the front door of the Cathedral, Bishop Doran will greet members of the congregation in person, and journalists and photographers.
The diocese has retained John McElroy as the official photographer for the Episcopal Installation. Photographs from the ceremony for publication purposes will be available to media by contacting Mr McElroy on [email protected] or +353 87 241 6985.
Details of the Installation Ceremony:
Since Bishop Kevin Doran is already a bishop, he will be installed rather than ordained. This installation liturgy will take place during Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday. This installation liturgy also marks the moment when the Diocese of Achonry and the Diocese of Elphin are united “in persona episcopi” (in the person of the Bishop). The principal celebrant and homilist will be Bishop Doran. His Excellency, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Francis Duffy and Bishop Michael Duignan, will be the principal concelebrants.
Attendance will include members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, both serving and retired, clergy of the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, and family members and friends of Bishop Doran. Every parish in the Diocese of Achonry will have representatives present. There will be representatives from Catholic schools and various diocesan bodies and organisations in the Diocese of Achonry. Staff and representatives from the Diocese of Elphin will be in attendance. Representatives of the Church of Ireland communities will be present.
The Cathedral’s Senior Choir, and the Cathedral’s Folk Group, will perform the music throughout the liturgy. The Master of Ceremonies will be Father Martin Henry.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Bishop Kevin Doran as Bishop of Achonry on Sunday, 16 February 2025.
- The Catholic population of Achonry is 38,000, there are 34 priests in ministry, and 23 parishes in the Diocese.
- Life and Ministry of Bishop Kevin Doran:
Bishop Kevin Doran was born in Dublin in 1953 and ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin in July 1977. During his thirty-six years as a Dublin priest, he served in six parishes around the Diocese, as well as working in educational administration, university chaplaincy and in the accompaniment of candidates for ordained ministry. He was Secretary General of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which was held in Dublin in 2012.
He was appointed Bishop of Elphin in April 2014 and ordained Bishop on 13 July 2014.
On 10 April 2024, continuing the gradual process of reorganisation in the Province of Tuam, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland announced that Bishop Kevin Doran had been appointed as Apostolic Administrator of Achonry. On 1 February 2025, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Bishop Doran as Bishop of Achonry in addition to being Bishop of Elphin. On Sunday, 30 March 2025, he will be installed as Bishop of Achonry with the two dioceses being united “in persona episcopi”. The Latin term “in persona episcopi” literally means “in the person of the bishop”, and is used by the Catholic Church to indicate the union of two or more dioceses under one bishop.
As a member of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Doran is the Chairperson of the Council for Life, and serves on the Committee for Theology. He is also a member of the Council for Justice and Peace.