Pope John Paul II appoints Archbishop Diarmuid Martin

03 May 2003

PRESS RELEASE

Strictly embargoed until 11.00am Saturday 3 May 2003

POPE JOHN PAUL II APPOINTS

ARCHBISHOP DIARMUID MARTIN

COADJUTOR TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN

His Holiness Pope John Paul II has appointed the Most Reverend Diarmuid Martin,
Titular Archbishop of Glendalough, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of
the Holy See at the Office of the United Nations in Geneva, as Coadjutor to the
Archdiocese of Dublin.

The appointment was officially announced in Rome at 12.00 noon (11.00am Irish time)
today.

The Curriculum Vitae of the newly appointed Coadjutor is attached.

The present Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, will continue in office
until the Episcopal See falls vacant (see explanatory note below).

The Archdiocese of Dublin has an estimated Catholic population of 1,033,808 in 200
parishes and includes the City and County of Dublin, nearly all of County Wicklow
and portions of Counties Kildare, Carlow, Wexford and Laois.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the Code of Canon Law (1983), a coadjutor bishop has the right of succession.
When the episcopal see falls vacant, the coadjutor immediately becomes the bishop of
the diocese for which he was appointed. The episcopal see usually becomes vacant by
the death of the diocesan bishop or by his resignation accepted by the Holy See.

ENDS

3 May 2003

Further information:

Fr Martin Clarke: (087) 220 8044
Ms Brenda Drumm: (087) 233 7797

Click here
for Biography of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin