Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of Achonry has, today, made the decisions reached at those meetings available to the public.
The next step in the process is the establishment of a working group drawn equally from both dioceses to consider other actions that might be necessary “to eventually become one diocese."
It has been agreed that the two dioceses will join together for the pilgrimages to Lourdes and Knock, as well as for young-adult pilgrimages; the two dioceses will work more closely together for the formation of lay ministers and parish pastoral councils and the two dioceses will plan together for the activities of youth and young-adult ministry.
“It is just over six months now since the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, made known to us the decision of Pope Francis to initiate a process of closer cooperation and consultation, which is intended to lead eventually to the merging of our two neighbouring dioceses of Achonry and Elphin,” said Bishop Doran.
“I am aware that this decision, coming when it did, left many people in the Diocese of Achonry feeling shocked and disappointed. It was difficult for the diocese to lose a young and energetic bishop. Following discussions which had taken place over a number of years, I expected that there would be some reconfiguration of the six dioceses of the Province of Tuam. My own appointment as Apostolic Administrator of Achonry took me by surprise. Since I took over responsibility for the diocese, I have been greatly encouraged by the warm welcome and support that I have received from so many people. To date, I have visited two thirds of the parishes, and I look forward to continuing those visits in the weeks and months ahead,” added Bishop Doran.
“People have asked me “why is this happening?” The merging of dioceses is not new and it is not unique to Ireland. It is not easy, in a small diocese, especially with lower levels of religious practice, to find the human and financial resources required to do all that is necessary for pastoral care and good governance. Both Achonry and Elphin are small by the standards of the Church around the world. The hope is that, with our combined resources, we will be able to exercise our mission more effectively,” he explained.
In the period since April 2024, various consultations have taken place, including the six gatherings that took place in recent weeks. Some initial decisions have been made, reflecting what has been heard.
Bishop Doran added that “a working group will be established, drawn equally from both dioceses to consider what other actions might be necessary to allow us to work more effectively together and, if the process evolves further, to eventually become one diocese.
" Some people have understandably asked very practical questions such as: “What will the diocese be called?”, “where will the cathedral be?” and “where will the Bishop live? These questions have not yet been considered in any detail. I can say, however, that in many cases where dioceses have merged, both cathedrals have equal status. These are known as “co-cathedrals”.
“In recent weeks, we have been blessed to have six gatherings, in which approximately 500 people participated, from both dioceses. I am very grateful to all those who participated and to those who facilitated the gatherings. We promised those who came to the gatherings that we would make available a summary of all that was said. This report has now been prepared by a group of seven people from both dioceses, and I am happy to present it to you now. I hope it will be widely discussed at Parish gatherings and in family homes. This is just a beginning,” concluded Bishop Doran.
* The summary of feedback from gatherings held in Autumn 2024 in the diocese of Achonry and the diocese of Elphin can be found at achonrydiocese.org and elphindiocese.ie