Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ has asked for the prayers from parishioners in the Raphoe Diocese as he prepares to take up a new post as Bishop of Down and Connor.
Pope Francis has appointed Bishop McGuckian as the Bishop of Down and Connor, with the Cloughmills native having served in Donegal for the last six-and-a-half years.
He will succeed Archbishop Noel Treanor, who was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union in 2022.
At Mass on Friday at Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Down and Connor, confirmed the news of Bishop McGuckian’s appointment.
“It will be a great sorrow for me to leave so many wonderful friends here in Donegal,” Bishop McGuckian said.
“I have been overwhelmed during the past six years by the kindness and readiness of so many people to take me into their hearts. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to have been your bishop.”
Bishop McGuckian will celebrate Confirmation in parishes in the Raphoe Diocese until the end of February, during which time he will serve as Apostolic Administrator.
A Diocesan Administrator, who will be appointed by the College of Consulters, will oversee the Raphoe Diocese in the interim period until a new Bishop is appointed.
In June 2017, Bishop McGuckian was appointed as the Bishop of Raphoe and he was ordained on August 6, 2017.
He said: “I have loved serving in this diocese because there is a bedrock of faith among you that is a great treasure. It has inspired and encouraged me.
“The people of Raphoe have always been in my daily prayers since I first heard that I was to be your bishop six and a half years ago. Now, I ask that you pray for me as I go to take up the Church's mission in pastures new.”