Following the appointment of Bishop Niall Coll to the Diocese of Raphoe last November, the Bishop of Ferns, was entrusted with the pastoral care of the Diocese of Ossory.
Like many countries, not only in Europe, but throughout the world, Ireland has been changing in many ways, and rapidly, and at depth. All change brings challenge in its wake: the challenge of wealth and of new technologies, of new relations with states, and the arrival of people from across the globe who see their future in this land, and many of whom want to make Ireland their home.
Change is also to be seen and felt in our Church, not just at the level of religious practice, but, more profoundly, in the level of engagement with the life of faith, especially in how our faith and our hope are lived out in our day-to-day lives. It is there, at the level of the heart, in how we pray, in how we seek God’s will and entrust ourselves to God’s mercy that a distancing from what God is doing in Christ (see Eph 2:14–16, Rom 5:1) is most keenly perceived.
In such a context, Christ’s call to his earliest disciples—to fish for people (see Matt 4:19; Mark 1:17 and Luke 5:10) needs to be answered in ways that will permit Christ’s good news reach the ears and the hearts of the people around us, our neighbours and friends. An Irish Church that was accustomed to seeing mission as directed to peoples far away must learn anew how to put flesh on the closeness and consolation of God among our friends and neighbours, and with our own children and grandchildren. It is a steep learning curve!
In consultation with the Apostolic Nuncio, who had met members of faithful and of the clergy and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, the Holy Father has determined that appointing Bishop Nash as Bishop of Ossory, and uniting the dioceses of Ossory and Ferns in the person and ministry of the new Bishop, is a good way for both dioceses to embrace the challenge of bringing the Good News of Christ to new generations of Irish people.
This development allows both dioceses to preserve their individual identities while having the same Bishop. It also allows for consultative bodies, such as the Ossory Council of Priests, to be established and vacant offices – such as that of Vicar General – to be filled.
In 2018 I was appointed Bishop of Ossory by Pope Francis and ministered there for three years. My years in Ossory were a time of joy and a great blessing in my life. I congratulate Bishop Ger on his appointment today, and I pray that God will bless all his endeavours as he attends to the leadership and pastoral care of the priests and faithful in the Diocese of Ossory.
May Saint Kieran, Saint Canice and Saint Aidan bless Bishop Nash in his ministry.