Francis Duffy installé comme nouvel évêque de Killala, réunissant deux diocèses sous son autorité

L'installation de l'archevêque Francis Duffy comme évêque de Killala marque une étape significative dans l'évolution institutionnelle de l'Église catholique en Irlande occidentale. Sa nomination, intervenue après une période d'administration apostolique, entraîne formellement l’union du diocèse de Killala avec l’archidiocèse de Tuam « in persona episcopi », une formule canonique où les deux diocèses restent juridiquement distincts mais sont dirigés par la même personne. Ce choix reflète une tendance croissante dans l’Église à gérer le déclin des vocations et l’évolution démographique par la mutualisation des ressources épiscopales et administratives. Cette union pourrait préfigurer ultérieurement une fusion institutionnelle complète, suivant un mouvement déjà observé dans d'autres pays européens. La présence de figures ecclésiales majeures et de responsables civiques lors de la cérémonie révèle la dimension à la fois religieuse et sociétale de cette installation, soulignant le rôle de l’Église comme interlocuteur des collectivités locales. Ce changement de gouvernance représente donc un réajustement stratégique du tissu ecclésial irlandais face à la sécularisation et à la recomposition territoriale.

• From 3.00pm this Sunday, 26 April, the Installation Mass for Archbishop Francis Duffy will be livestreamed on churchtv.ie/ballina.

You, or a representative, are invited to the celebration of Mass for the Episcopal Installation of Archbishop Francis Duffy as the new Bishop of Killala:  

Date and time   Good Shepherd Sunday, 26 April, at 3.00pm
Venue   Saint Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina, Co Mayo, Diocese of Killala
In attendance   Laity, religious, clergy, family and guests

Media arrangements
The diocese has retained Mr Eamonn O’Boyle as the official photographer for the Installation Mass.  Newsdesks may wish to contact Mr O’Boyle to access photographs from the ceremony for publication purposes on [email protected] and/or by mobile +353 (0) 86 221 7029.

Before the ceremony, at 2.00pm, Martin Long of the Catholic Communications Office will be available to brief journalists at the dedicated media centre located in the Newman Institute, adjacent to the Cathedral.  The media centre will be open before and after Mass and will offer internet access and refreshments.  Hard copies of the homily to be delivered by Archbishop Duffy, the installation booklet (which contains details of the Liturgy and the biography of Archbishop Duffy) and related information on the diocese, will be available here.

Following the conclusion of the Mass, and at the front door of the Cathedral, Archbishop Duffy will greet members of the congregation in person.  Media representatives will have an opportunity for photographs and a brief doorstep interview at this time.

Details on the Installation Ceremony
Concelebrants will include:

• His Eminence, Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop Emeritus of Armagh
• His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland
• Archbishop Eamon Martin, Metropolitan Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
• Bishop John Fleming, Bishop Emeritus of Killala

Also in attendance will be members of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, both serving and retired, and other clergy from the Diocese of Killala, and from the Archdiocese of Tuam.  Family members and friends of Archbishop Duffy, along with lay representatives from across the diocese, as well as teachers and students from local schools, will also make up the congregation.  Representatives of other Christian denominations are also expected as are civic leaders and local and national public representatives.  The choir will comprise members of Saint Muredach’s Cathedral.

Following the moment of his Installation during the Mass, Archbishop Duffy will then lead the liturgy as Chief Celebrant and deliver the homily as the new Bishop of Killala.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• The Diocese of Killala includes portions of Counties Mayo and Sligo.
• Biography of Archbishop Francis Duffy:

Born in Bawnboy, Co Cavan, Francis Duffy was educated at Munlough National School, Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan, and at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.  He was ordained for the Diocese of Kilmore on 20 June 1982 at Saint Mogue’s Church, Bawnboy, by Bishop Francis MacKiernan.   After eleven years as a teacher at Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan, two years were spent as a post-graduate student at Maynooth College and Trinity College, Dublin.

In 1996 he was appointed Principal of Fatima and Felim’s Secondary School, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.  The next four years were spent as Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor of the Diocese of Kilmore.  During that time Father Francis was also priest in residence, as assistant curate in Clifferna, Parish of Laragh, Co Cavan.  On 17 July 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, with his Episcopal Ordination taking place on 6 October 2013 at Saint Mary’s Church, Athlone.

On 10 November 2021, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Francis as Archbishop of Tuam, with his Installation Mass taking place in Tuam on 9 January 2022.  On 10 April 2024, Pope Francis appointed the Archbishop Duffy as Apostolic Administrator of Killala.  Almost two years later, on 23 February 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Duffy as Bishop of Killala.  This appointment results in the Diocese of Killala and the Archdiocese of Tuam being united in the person of the bishop, in persona episcopi.  

ENDS