Local bishop is named as Archbishop of Tuam
The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois Francis Duffy has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Tuam by His Holiness Pope Francis.
He will remain as both Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois and Archbishop elect of Tuam until his formal installation as Archbishop of Tuam.
A date for in the installation ceremony has not yet emerged. However, when the installation takes place, the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois will then require a new bishop.
This morning, Archbishop-elect Duffy concelebrated Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tuam, with His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; and Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam.
During Mass, he said: “I am certainly surprised and humbled to be appointed to this Archdiocese and naturally I am a little sad at leaving my own diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
“The last eight years have been spent in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois as Bishop, based in Longford. Pope Francis has asked me to go further west, to be Archbishop of Tuam, in this beautiful part of the country, stretching from the islands off the west coast to Mountbellew, and on to the island parish of Moore.
“One of the developments in the diocese, which I now leave, is the well advanced plans for a Diocesan Assembly. Led by parishioners, we have spent a lot of time listening and discerning in what is a synodal path,” he outlined
Francis Duffy was born on April 21, 1958 in the parish of Templeport, Co Cavan to parents Mary Catherine Dolan and Frank Duffy.
He attended primary school at Munlough National School, Bawnboy, and completed his post-primary education at Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan.
Francis studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Kilmore on 20 June 1982 in Saint Mogue’s Church, Bawnboy, County Cavan by Bishop Francis MacKiernan.
He taught at Saint Patrick’s College, Cavan, and was appointed principal of Fatima and Felim’s Secondary School, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim in 1996.
After 12years as principal, Father Francis was appointed Diocesan Secretary and Financial Administrator and Chancellor. During that time he was resident priest in the parish of Laragh, Co Cavan. On 17 July 2013, he was appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois with his episcopal ordination taking place on October 6, 2013 at Saint Mary’s Church, Athlone.
As a member of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Duffy is currently chair of the Council for Liturgy, a member of the Council for Education, as well as a member of the Commission for Worship, Pastoral Renewal and Faith Development.