The dioceses of Clonfert and Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora are to be reorganised under one bishop, Pope Francis has announced, in a move aimed at streamlining the Irish hierarchy.
In a message to the faithful of the two west of Ireland dioceses, Bishop Michael Duignan of Clonfert and Bishop Brendan Kelly of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, said they had been informed by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, that in the near future the Pope intends to appoint a single bishop.
They said this form of union of two dioceses under one bishop would not be an amalgamation and would not suppress either of the two dioceses.
“Both dioceses will continue to maintain their own integrity and autonomy as is, but will work closer together, where possible, through the person and ministry of a single bishop.”
Each diocese will handle its financial administration independently and will make its own pastoral decisions as usual.
Bishop Brendan Kelly is 75 and has therefore reached the age of retirement. It is likely that Bishop Duignan will take up the role of Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora when Bishop Kelly officially retires.
The diocesan structures and institutions such as cathedral churches, curial offices and officials, as well as diocesan pastoral councils, diocesan lands, bank accounts, properties and charities in each of the dioceses will be left unaltered. The only real change will be that one sole bishop exercises the pastoral governance of both dioceses equally.
In their statement, the two church leaders said that from the experience of other dioceses where this kind of union has been put in place, it can “enhance the future survival of the dioceses which unite and cooperate in persona episcopi”.
The Vatican is holding consultations on the move and meetings are due to take place in each diocese to allow people to talk about it.
Currently, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh is also fulfilling the role of administrator in the Diocese of Dromore in addition to his role as Archbishop of Armagh, while Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlan is also acting as administrator of the Diocese of Ossory. This announcement may pave the way for their roles in running a second diocese to be formalised as bishop.