The Bishop of Elphin Dr Christopher Jones has been recognised for his
outstanding contribution to the West of Ireland with a special award
from the Council of the West.The Council for the West announced the honour recently to coincide with the golden jubilee of Bishops Jones ordination.
A special presentation was made to Bishop Jones at Ireland West Airport in Knock by Mr Sean Hannick, Chairman of the Council.
Speaking at the presentation, Mr Hannick said that Bishop Jones had made an enormous contribution to the Council.
“This presentation marks Bishop Jones outstanding humility and generosity and the spiritual enrichment he has brought to the development of the West for more than 50 years.”
The Council for the West was set up in the early 1990's arising from concerns at the declining population of rural Ireland.
Five farmers from the South Galway area approached the regions Bishops to express their extreme concern at the falling numbers involved in agriculture and the lack of any alternative employment in the region as well as the running down of essential services in the West of Ireland.
As a result of this development the, 'West Together,' initiative was started and later the Council for the West was inaugurated.
Bishop Christopher Jones was one of its founding members.
The Council for the West is an independent, nor for profit organisation, made up of representatives of the main Churches, businesses and community activists.
It highlights and creates awareness of the major social and economic issues affecting development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway and Clare.
Bishop Jones, who is 76, is a native of County Roscommon and was ordained to the priesthood in 1962. He was been Bishop of Elphin since 1994 and continues to serve on the Council for The West.