I gladly send congratulations and good wishes to Father Francis Duffy
on hearing the news that Pope Francis has chosen him to be the next
Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois in succession to the much loved Bishop
Colm O’Reilly.
I have known Father Duffy for many years and I am confident that he
has the gifts and qualities needed.
His experience in Catholic
education, parish ministry and diocesan administration have shown his
excellent ability to lead people by word and example and prepared him
well for this day.
I know for certain that he will have many prayers from the
parishioners he has served, so generously and so often over the years
and from many others as he takes up his new appointment.
Today I also pay a well-deserved tribute to Bishop Colm O’Reilly for
his faithful and faith-filled service to the Irish Bishops’ Conference
for the past thirty years.
In particular I thank him for his work as
Chairman of the Council for the Missions, President of Cura and his
contribution to the establishment of the National Board for Safeguarding
Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.