(Ruadhán Jones. The Irish Catholic).-
As four dioceses in the West merge, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland said the seismic changes were needed to meet “new challenges” facing the Church, “pooling resources” to increase vitality.
“A gradual process of reorganisation” will “give added impetus and vitality to the communities concerned”, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor said in a statement today.
His comments come as Pope Francis announced changes that leave the six western dioceses with just three bishops. Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy takes over Killala diocese, as Bishop John Fleming (76) retires, while Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran has been appointed Apostolic Administrator to Achonry, with Bishop Paul Dempsey moving to Dublin as an auxiliary.