His Holiness Pope Francis has accepted the request for retirement of Bishop Brendan Kelly, heretofore Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora. Today, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Clonfert, to minister simultaneously as Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora. The two Dioceses concerned (Galway and Clonfert), united in persona episcopi, pastorally administered by the one Bishop, will retain their respective rights, obligations and juridical autonomy.
Speaking on behalf of TLK, Ven. Stephen McWhirter, Archbishop’s Commissary, said,
‘Coming one month after the election of Bishop Michael Burrows as the Church of Ireland Bishop of the newly United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe we welcome the news that Bishop Michael Duignan has been appointed as Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora in addition to his current role of Bishop of Clonfert. As we wish him God’s blessings in his new post we offer Bishop Brendan Kelly all prayerful good wishes on his retirement.’