In welcoming Pope Leo’s appointment, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA of Cashel & Emly, who serves as Chair of Missio Ireland and Chair of the National Mission Council of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said, “I would like to offer sincere congratulations to Sister Mary Barron, Superior General of the Missionary Congregation of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), on her appointment by Pope Leo XIV as Adjunct Secretary in the Dicastery for Evangelization in Rome as President of the Pontifical Mission Societies. This appointment is significant as Sister Mary is the first woman to head the Pontifical Mission Societies – a prestigious and important department of the Church’s organisation of Mission outreach.”
Archbishop O’Reilly continued, “Sister Mary brings acknowledged experience from the various roles she has already filled, especially on the international level. It is a great honour for the Irish Missionary Church, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, Sister Mary’s family and for Sister Mary herself, that she has been called to serve in this role. It is significant that her appointment is announced during this Mission Month of October, as the Catholic Church throughout the world prepares to celebrate Mission Sunday on 18 October next. I assure Sister Mary of prayers and support in her new appointment.”
