Media information for the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Francis Duffy as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois
You, or a representative, are invited to attend the ordination of Monsignor Francis Duffy as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. Details:
Date and Time Sunday 6 October 2013 at 3:00 pm
Venue Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Athlone
In attendance Laity, religious, clergy, family and guests
Ordination Mass
The Principal Ordaining Bishop will be Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. The co-Consecrating bishops at the Ordination Mass will be His Excellency Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, assisted by Bishop Colm O’Reilly, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. Father Peter Burke PP, Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, will preach the homily. All priests in attendance at the ordination – from the dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Kilmore and other dioceses – have been invited to concelebrate the Mass.
Media arrangements
At 2.00 p.m. on 6 October Martin Long of the Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth, will be available to brief journalists at the dedicated media centre in Saint Ciaran’s House (adjacent to the front gate of Saint Mary’s). The media centre will be open from 2.00 pm until 6.00 pm on Sunday and it will offer Wifi facilities and refreshments. Hard copies of the homily, other addresses from the Mass and the ordination booklet will be available here.
Notes to Editors
- His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Father Francis Duffy as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois on 17 July 2013.
- The Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois consists of nearly all of County Longford, the greater part of County Leitrim and parts of Counties Cavan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath. Saint Mel is the patron of the diocese. The Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise has a Catholic population of 71,806, 41 parishes, and 80 Churches.
Life and Ministry of Bishop-elect Francis Duffy
Francis Duffy was born on 21 April 1958 in the parish of Templeport, Co Cavan to parents Mary Catherine Dolan and the late Frank Duffy. He is the oldest of four children. He attended primary school at Munlough National School, Bawnboy and completed his post-primary education at Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan. Francis studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Kilmore on 20June 1982 in Saint Mogue’s Church, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan by Bishop Francis MacKiernan. For eleven years Father Francis was on the teaching staff of Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan, where he taught History, Religion and Irish. Father Francis was appointed principal of Fatima and Felim’s Secondary School, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim in 1996. After twelve years as principal Father Francis was appointed Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor. He had the additional responsibilities of Financial Administrator, Communications Officer and Archivist. Since 2009 Father Francis has been resident priest in the parish of Laragh, Co Cavan where he has remained until the present day.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
