Six dioceses in the west of Ireland are to be led by three bishops. The seismic change was announced on 10 April, along with changes in the episcopate. Ireland is divided into 26 dioceses, essentially unchanged since the 12th century.
The six western dioceses will be left with three bishops. Archbishop Francis Duffy, 65, of Tuam takes over the diocese of Killala, while Bishop John Fleming, 76, of Killala retires.
Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin is appointed Apostolic Administrator of Achonry. The present Bishop of Achonry, Mgr Paul Dempsey, 52, is deposed and demoted to Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin.
Already in May 2022, Bishop Michael Duignan, 53, of Clonfert, became also Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh.
The Irish nuncio, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, sugar-coats the massive decline in the formerly Catholic country by talking of "new challenges" and "pooling resources" to "increase vitality". A full merger will take place "if this process evolves still further".
Bishop Doran spoke …More