Statement by Bishop Brendan Kelly paying tribute to Archbishop Michael Neary on his retirement  and welcoming the new Archbishop-elect of Tuam, Bishop Francis Duffy

10 Nov 2021

Ba mhaith liom chuile bheannacht agus fad saol a ghuí  inniu ar an Ardeaspag Mícheál Ó Nearaigh, agus é ag dul ar scor tréis seacht mbliana fichead mar Ardeaspag Thuama. Ag an am céanna, fáiltím go croíúil roimh an An t-Easpag Proinnsias Ó Dufaigh atá ainmnithe inniu an an bPápa mar Ardeaspag nua Thuama.

Today I offer my best wishes to my good friend and colleague Archbishop Michael Neary on his retirement, after twenty-seven years ministry as Archbishop of Tuam. Archbishop Michael has been a kind, gentle, and good shepherd through these years. His first concern has always been the welfare of God’s people, in times that were often very challenging. He led with quiet wisdom and I have personally benefitted from his counsel many times. His love of God’s Word and his daily prayerful practice have been the sure foundations on which he built his life and his ministry. My gratitude and heartfelt prayers go to him. May the Lord, whom he has long served faithfully, bless him with good health and many happy years in retirement. Faoi choimice Muire Máthair go raibh sé.

Today too I am delighted to welcome, with gratitude and joy, the appointment of Archbishop-elect Francis Duffy as Archbishop of Tuam and Metropolitan of the Western Province. I have come to know Archbishop-elect Francis well through our working closely together on the Bishops’ Council for Education and Council for Liturgy. I know the people of God in the Archdiocese and across the province will also be delighted with this good news. We are glad that he is to be our Archbishop, knowing the many personal gifts he brings with him. I have no doubt he will be very happy in the West amongst us, and my prayers are very much with him at this time, as they also are with the people and priests of the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Western Province. A new page is turning and a new chapter begins. We place ourselves again under the guidance of Almighty God and in the gentle care of Mary, our mother. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

  • Bishop Brendan Kelly is the Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora. The Dioceses of Galway and Kilmacduagh are in the Provence of Tuam and, as such, the Archbishop of Tuam is their Metropolitan Archbishop.

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