Media information for the Mass of Installation for Bishop Donal McKeown as Bishop of Derry

02 Apr 2014

Bishop McKeown Coat of Arms

You, or a representative, are invited to attend the Mass of Installation for Bishop Donal McKeown as Bishop of Derry.  Details:

Date and Time: Sunday 6 April 2014 at 3:00 pm

Venue: Cathedral of Saint Eugene, Derry

In attendance: Laity, religious, clergy, family and guests

Mass of Installation

The Mass will begin with the Rite of Installation which marks the moment when Bishop McKeown becomes the Bishop of the Diocese of Derry. This part of the Liturgy is presided over by Cardinal Seán Brady as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Armagh.  The Apostolic Mandate given by Pope Francis, appointing Bishop McKeown as the new bishop, will be read by His Excellency Archbishop Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland.

Celebrants, Preacher and in attendance

Present at the Mass will be Bishop Emeritus Séamus Hegarty and Bishop Emeritus Edward Daly, retired bishops of the Diocese of Derry, as well as Bishop Emeritus Francis Lagan, the retired auxiliary bishop.  Other bishops from throughout the country will also be present.  Bishop McKeown will preach the homily.  All priests in attendance at the Mass of Installation, from the Diocese of Derry, Diocese of Down and Connor and other dioceses, have been invited to concelebrate.  Also in attendance will be the Aide-de-Camp of the President of Ireland, Lt (NS) David Lyons, and the Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Londonderry, Angela Garvey.

Media arrangements

Journalists wishing to attend should contact the Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth, in advance.  A designated and specific reserved area for photographers and cameras will be made available in the Cathedral of Saint Eugene.  Whilst photographers and television camera personnel will be facilitated, media in attendance are asked to respect the sacredness of the celebration of the Mass.  Please note that photography and filming are not permitted during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

At 2.00pm on 6 April next, Martin Long of the Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth, will be available to brief journalists at the dedicated media centre in Saint Eugene’s Primary School (adjacent to the front gate of the Cathedral grounds).  The media centre will be open from 2.00pm until 6.00pm on Sunday.   Copies of the Mass booklet, which contains the biography of Bishop McKeown, an explanation of his Episcopal Coat of Arms, the homily, and welcoming remarks of the new Bishop of Derry, will all be available in the media centre.

Following the Mass, and at the front door of the Cathedral, Bishop McKeown will greet in person everyone who attended the Mass.  Media representatives will have an opportunity for photographs and interviews at this time.

Notes to Editors

The website for the Diocese of Derry is: www.derrydiocese.org and the diocese is also available on Twitter @DioceseOfDerry and on www.facebook.com/derrydiocese

Photographs from the Installation Ceremony will be available to media by contacting the designated photographer Mr Stephen Latimer on +44 (0) 7725992043 and by email: [email protected]

Please click on the PDF link below for information on:

  • previous bishops of the Diocese of Derry
  • an explanation and image of the coat of arms of Bishop Donal McKeown
  • life and ministry of Bishop McKeown
  • explanation of the Installation Ceremony
  • a Prayer for the Diocese of Derry and,
  • the celebrant and concelebrants for the Mass of Installation

Click for PDF Notes to Editors for Installation of Bishop Donal McKeown as Bishop of Derry