We know from personal experience that life is a process of adaptation to
changing circumstances. Although we seek to preserve at all times our
essential identity, we adopt measures to meet new challenges as they
arise. That is true also of the life of the Church and it is reflected
in what we are doing today.
To meet the evolving needs of the Church in the ecclesiastical Province
of Tuam, it is necessary to envisage a gradual process of
reorganisation, which will, it is hoped, give added impetus and vitality
to the communities concerned.
Today, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Archbishop of Tuam,
Archbishop Francis Duffy, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of
Killala, and he has likewise appointed the Bishop of Elphin, Bishop
Kevin Doran, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry.
Due
to the retirement of Bishop John Fleming, by reason of age, and due to
the episcopal reassignment of Bishop Paul Dempsey, who will now become
Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin, the Dioceses of Killala
and Achonry have become vacant Episcopal Sees entrusted to the pastoral
care of their respective Apostolic Administrator.
In due time, and following careful assessment and consultation, the
present Dioceses of Tuam and Killala on the one hand, and Elphin and
Achonry on the other, may be governed by one Bishop in each case, just
as the Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert are today governed by one
Bishop.
If this process evolves still further, the associated Dioceses
may then merge fully under their Bishop, and, in this way, the six
Dioceses in the Province of Tuam will eventually become three.
They say “in union there is strength”. Thus, with pooled resources and
combined endeavours, and trusting strongly in the grace of God, we can
look to the future with hope and confidence.