Dia daoibh ar maidin. Táim fíor bhuíoch daoibh as bheith anseo inniu in Ardeaglais na Deastógála i dTuaim. Gaibhim buíochas leis an Ardeaspag Micheál as ucht an fíor-chaoin fáilte a chur se romhaim. Chomh maith leis sin, gabhaim buiochas freisin le Nuncio an Phápa, Jude Taddeus Okolo, as ucht an tacaíocht agus an comhairle a thug sé le déanaí.
Rugadh agus tógadh mé i gCondae an Chabháin, in aice an Bhabhún Buí, atá suite i bparóiste Teampaill an Phoirt. Chaith mé seal mar mhuinteoir i gCabhán, agus i meansocil eile i gCondae Liatroma. Ansin chuaigh me ar ais go Chondae an Chabháin ag obair in oifig na deoise agus i bparóiste Laragh. Ina dhiaidh sin, chaith mé ocht mbliana i gceartlár na tíre i nDeoise Ardach agus Cluain Mhic Nóis, mar Easpag. Mar is eol daoibh anois, d’iarr an Pápa Proinsias orm teacht go hArd Deoise Thuama, suite anseo in áit fíor áilainn in iarthar na hEireannn. Le lúcháir i mo chroí, glacaim le mo churamí nua mar Ardeaspag Thuama – an deoise stairiúil seo – agus breathnaim leis an todhchaí le creideamh agus le dóchas.
Good morning everyone. Thank you for being here today in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I thank Archbishop Michael for his very warm welcome. I follow in the footsteps of a true shepherd who has led this diocese with great wisdom, sensitivity, and faithfulness for 27 years as Archbishop.
I thank the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, for his assistance and encouragement over the last while.
I come today as a Cavan man, from Bawnboy in the parish of Templeport, where I was born and raised. I spent over twenty years as a teacher and as a school principal in counties Cavan and Leitrim followed by some years as diocesan secretary in my native diocese of Kilmore and as assistant priest in the parish of Laragh. The last eight years have been spent in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois as Bishop, based in Longford. Pope Francis has asked me to go further west, to be Archbishop of Tuam, in this beautiful part of the country, stretching from the islands off the west coast to Mountbellew, and on to the island parish of Moore.
I am certainly surprised and humbled to be appointed to this Archdiocese and naturally I am a little sad at leaving my own diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
One of the developments in the diocese, which I now leave, is the well advanced plans for a Diocesan Assembly. Led by parishioners, we have spent a lot of time listening and discerning in what is a synodal path. Part of our Assembly Prayer is:
“Jesus, give us a heart of flesh to hear and to embrace the prayer of hurt, pain, tears and anger of our people”.
To move forward we must listen to all who have been hurt by their experience of Church.
I was particularly struck by what Archbishop Michael said a last month about the Catholic Church in this diocese being already synodal in so many ways. That is true and is a credit to Archbishop Michael, the people of the parishes, the clergy and religious and all involved in those life enhancing and hope filled initiatives that have taken place. It is the Holy Spirit working in and through so many people. As we walk together may the Holy Spirit continue to guide, to challenge and to enlighten us.
I have always thought that for a diocesan priest the clergy form a sort meitheal, a group of support, of encouragement and of assistance for each other. I am really looking forward to joining the priests of this archdiocese, to listen, to learn and to be part of their mission in joyfully spreading the Good News of the Lord Jesus. The caring, moving and hope filled work of clergy is vital. In the words of a very recent correspondent on the declining numbers of clergy, “You all are needed more than ever now. Best wishes to all of you. Know that your service is very important to us all”. It reflects a heartfelt gratitude and positive view of priests and what they mean to so many people. So this morning I would like to say a special word of greeting to the priests of the archdiocese of Tuam. I have a lot to learn and am looking forward to doing so with their help.
I particularly look forward to meeting with the parishioners, parish pastoral councils and school communities throughout this diocese. I greet the religious, those who have dedicated their lives with great generosity to the mission of the gospel in so many areas of life and continue to do so.
This archdiocese is renowned for the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine at Knock and for Croagh Patrick and also for Ballintubber Abbey and Máméan. I look forward to engaging with the deep spiritual traditions and culture of this area.
Next Sunday I will be at the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine at Knock, with Irish Bishops, to pray for those who died during the pandemic, for those who are bereaved and for all who sacrificed so much during that time. It has been a traumatic time for so many people and it has also been a time when we have witnessed so much selfless goodness and neighbourliness.
To the parishioners, the priests and religious of this Archdiocese, I say that really look forward to meeting with you and working with you in the time to come. I will be on the highways and byways and the boats to visit the people in their parishes as soon as possible. So google maps will be my go to page for some time.
Caithfidh me stopadh anois; tá neart paiceál le déanamh agam i Longfort. Níl uaim anois ach an Spioraid Naomh do mo stiriú agus learscáil maith chun mé a threorú ar fud na deoise. Go raibh maith agaibh. Buíochas agus Beannacht.
ENDS
Life and ministry of Archbishop-elect Francis Duffy
Francis Duffy was born on 21 April 1958 in the parish of Templeport, Co Cavan to parents Mary Catherine Dolan and Frank Duffy.
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 20 June 1982 in Saint Mogue’s Church, Bawnboy, Co Cavan by Bishop Francis MacKiernan.
He taught at Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan, and 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 Financial Administrator and Chancellor. During that time he was resident priest in the parish of Laragh, Co Cavan. On 17 July 2013 he was appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois with his episcopal ordination taking place on 6 October 2013 at Saint Mary’s Church, Athlone.
As a member of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Duffy is currently chair of the Council for Liturgy, a member of the Council for Education, as well as a member of the Commission for Worship, Pastoral Renewal and Faith Development.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.
