Significant changes announced for Tuam and Killala dioceses

THE Archdiocese of Tuam is set to undergo its most radical change in its recent history as Archbishop Francis Duffy is set to head both the Killala and Tuam dioceses.

Pope Francis has officially appointed Bishop Francis Duffy, Metropolitan Archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Tuam, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Killala.

This comes following the resignation of Bishop John Fleming, Bishop of Killala, due to age. 

Mayo is covered mostly by the dioceses of Tuam and Killala and partially by the Achonry and Galway dioceses.

Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, has also been appointed as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Achonry.

Bishop Doran will continue in his role as Bishop of Elphin while Bishop Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry has been appointed Titular Bishop of Sita and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin

A similar streamlining has been undertaken with other dioceses, including the joining together of Clonfert and Galway and Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.

“The announcement of this level of change in the episcopate in one province at the same time is quite significant. It creates the possibility of exploring a closer union between the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Killala,” Archbishop Duffy said.

“Any such change would involve living communities and could not be simply structural or administrative.  It would require careful discernment over some time, involving the whole people of God in the respective dioceses.”

Pope Francis first announced his intention to join together various Irish dioceses in November 2021.

The most recently-announced changes concerning the reconfiguration of dioceses in Connacht follow consultations carried out by the Apostolic Nuncio with groupings of people in Achonry, Elphin, Killala and Tuam. 

Thanking Bishop Fleming for his service to the Killala diocese, Archbishop Duffy said that ‘a lot of ground-work in both the civil and canonical spheres will need to be carried out’ prior to the changes coming into effect.

“Fortunately, there is already a well-established practice of collaboration and cooperation between the western dioceses. This is a sure sign of hope for the success of the important work that is now underway,” he said.

“We are certainly living in changing times, and, providentially, one of the changes in the Catholic Church is the promotion of the synodal pathway. I am confident that the path we have embarked upon will enable, enthuse and assist us as a believing community, in moving forward together, as both beneficiaries and sharers of the Good News of the Risen Lord.”

Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, welcomed the announcement, saying it would allow the dioceses to work together more closely.

“Today is a day when I think we could truly say that ‘The West’s Awake’, awake to the need to reconfigure and restructure for renewal and mission,” Bishop Duignan said.

 “I look forward to working with Archbishop Francis and Bishop Kevin, and indeed with the entire people of God in these parts, to progress this project into the future. I pray for a continuing renewal of the faith and of our faith communities as we journey “together towards tomorrow.”

_{Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh (Catholic Communications Office archive)}

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, thanked Bishop John Fleming for his 22 years of service and sent well wishes to the other bishops on their new appointments.

“Please remember all our bishops in your prayers and thoughts as these new appointments take effect in the coming months,” Archbishop Martin said.