Statement by Bishop Martin Hayes
I congratulate Bishop Michael Router, a native of Lurgan Parish in Kilmore Diocese, on his appointment as Bishop of Derry.
Ordained to the priesthood on 25 June 1989, Bishop Michael served the Diocese of Kilmore in a wide range of pastoral, educational and leadership roles. He began his priestly ministry as curate in Killinkere before serving as a teacher in Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan, and later as chaplain in Bailieborough Community School while ministering in the parishes of Kilmainhamwood, and Moybologue. He subsequently served as Diocesan Director of Adult Faith Formation and Pastoral Renewal, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, curate in the Cathedral Parish, Cavan, and Parish Priest of Killann Parish.
Bishop Michael also served as Vicar Forane of the Bailieborough Deanery, Chair of the Council of Priests and as a member of the College of Consultors before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh by Pope Francis on 7 May 2019. He was ordained bishop on 21 July 2019.
His fulsome contribution, together with many others, to pastoral development in the Diocese of Kilmore remains the solid foundation for many of our current pastoral initiatives.
In extending my good wishes to Bishop Michael, I thank him for our work together on the National Synodal Team, for his commitment to the Irish Bishops’ Initiative on Drugs, Healthcare Chaplaincy, Accord Marriage Care and Towards Healing.
On the occasion of his appointment as Bishop of Derry, I congratulate his parents, Anthony and Nora, his sisters, Breda and Martina, his extended family, and the parish community of Lurgan in Virginia, Co Cavan.
With prayerful good wishes for Bishop Michael Router’s episcopal ministry in Derry.
ENDS
- Bishop Martin Hayes is Bishop of Kilmore