Sitting down with Greg Hughes for a Highland Radio podcast episode on January 27, Bishop Coll reflected on his journey from student in Maynooth, to priest, to bishop.
This journey began when he was ordained in 1988 at St Eunan’s Cathedral, the same cathedral where he was consecrated as Bishop of Raphoe on January 25.
“To be from Donegal is so particular in terms of Ireland and the Irish experience…we’re quite distinctive,” said Bishop Coll, noting his pride and privilege in being called to lead his home diocese.
Reflecting on the difficult decisions that may await him while leading the diocese, in light of fewer priests and a “decline in practice”, the Bishop of Raphoe explained that “communication is essential.”
“In the life of the church today, there’s a much greater emphasis on lay participation,” he said. “I think looking into the future, there will be far more lay ministry, lay responsibility. But we have to be working on that together.”
When asked about his plans for the coming years, Bishop Coll identified his priority: to “awaken people to the meaning of their baptisms”, and thus “awaken the sleeping giant of the laity”. He recalled that some of his most enjoyable moments as a priest came from speaking to parents before a baptism and reminding them of the “meaning of the faith”.
“Today the transmission of faith is not easy because we live in a very secular, materialistic world,” Bishop Coll continued. “I think there’s every chance that many people will make the choice of faith, but it will not be in the tribal way of the past, but in the personal way that’s suited to today.”