Today marks the retirement of Bishop John Fleming as Bishop of Killala
after twenty-two years of service. Bishop John’s dedicated and
innovative pastoral leadership is much appreciated by the people of the
Diocese of Killala.
I thank Bishop John also for his outstanding contributions to the
meetings of the Western Bishops. I wish him good health and many years
of happy and active retirement.
In the meantime, as Apostolic Administrator, I look forward to getting
to know the people, priests and religious of the Diocese of Killala, as
well as its traditions and heritage, as we work together towards union
between the two dioceses of Killala and Tuam.
I thank Bishop Paul Dempsey for his energetic and very insightful work
as a bishop of this province and wish him well in his new
responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Dublin. I wish Bishop Kevin
Doran every blessing as he takes on the role of Apostolic Administrator
in the Diocese of Achonry, in addition to his responsibilities as Bishop
of Elphin.
The changes being announced today concerning the reconfiguration of
dioceses in this province follow on from consultations carried out by
the Apostolic Nuncio with groupings of people in Achonry, Elphin,
Killala and Tuam. A lot of ground-work in both the civil and canonical
spheres will need to be carried out. Fortunately, there is already a
well-established practice of collaboration and cooperation between the
western dioceses. This is a sure sign of hope for the success of the
important work that in now underway.
We are certainly living in changing times, and, providentially, one of
the changes in the Catholic Church is the promotion of the synodal
pathway. I am confident that the path we have embarked upon will
enable, enthuse and assist us as a believing community, in moving
forward together, as both beneficiaries and sharers of the Good News of
the Risen Lord.