Pope Francis appoints Father Ger Nash as the new Bishop of Ferns

11 Jun 2021

  • Photo opportunity at 11.30am outside The Presbytery, Enniscorthy

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Father Ger Nash, a priest of the Diocese of Killaloe, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns.  The news of this Episcopal appointment will be made public this morning at 11.00am Irish time (12.00pm in the Vatican).

Following this announcement, Mass will be celebrated at 12.00pm today in the Cathedral of Saint Aidan, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, and livestreamed on https://www.staidanscathedral.ie/our-parish/webcam/

Please be advised that public health restrictions will apply in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

  • Media

–          Photographers are invited to attend a brief photo opportunity at 11.30am with His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; Bishop Denis Brennan and Bishop-elect Nash outside of The Presbytery, Duffry Street, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Y21 T6X0 .

–          Pictures will also be available for media publication by contacting photographer John McElroy on +353 (0) 87 241 6985.

  • Life and Ministry of Bishop-elect Ger Nash

Gerard Nash was born on 27 February 1959 at Glandree in the parish of Tulla, Co Clare.  His parents Tommy and Mary are deceased and he has two sisters, Teresa and Margaret.  His sister Bernie died in 2008.  He went to the local primary school in Drumcharley and then to secondary school in Tulla.  After the Leaving Certificate he studied business and then worked in manufacturing industry for a number of years.  After choosing to study for the Diocese of Killaloe in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, he was ordained on 15 June 1991 in Drumcharley Church, Tulla by Bishop Michael Harty.

After ordination, he was appointed as chaplain/teacher in Roscrea Vocational School and as priest responsible for Roscrea Youth Centre.  In 1996 he was appointed as General Manager of Clarecare, which provides a range of social services to the people of County Clare.  From 1996 he was also assistant priest in Corofin.  In 2003, he was appointed as resident priest in Corofin and part of the first grouping of parishes in the Diocese of Killaloe.  The newly created area was called Imeall Boirne.  In 2007 he moved to Crusheen, also within the Imeall Boirne Pastoral Area.  Father Nash was appointed Diocesan Secretary in 2010, while continuing to minister in Imeall Boirne.  In 2016 he was appointed Director of Pastoral Development for the Diocese of Killaloe.

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Katie Crosby +353 (0) 86 862 3298.