SW News: The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Fr Paul Connell of Meath Diocese as the new bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The announcement was made public on April 5 at 11 am by Monsignor Julien Kabore, Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland, in St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford.

After the announcement was made, Holy Mass was offered by Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam Archdiocese and the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The concelebrants included Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath, Bishop-elect Paul Connell, Monsignor Kabore and Fr Tom Healy, Diocesan Administrator of Ardagh and Clonmacnois along with the priests of the diocese.

Reacting to the news of the appointment as bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Fr Connell said he was humbled by the Holy Father’s decision. “I can only hope that I will be able to carry out my duties in a manner that befits his trust in me. Of this I am certain, I cannot and will not be able to do this alone. With the Lord’s help, together we will do this work.” He added that he was greatly “encouraged that this diocese continues to be richly blessed by the dedicated and generous service of its priests.

The bishop-elect said he was honored to be appointed bishop of this historic diocese at the heart of Ireland whose spiritual life is deeply rooted in the tradition of Saint Ciaran and Saint Mel. He made a mention of the beautiful cathedral which rose from the ashes as a sign of the resilience and loyalty of the people of this diocese.

Congratulating the new bishop-elect Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland offered his prayerful good wishes. He said in his message that “since Bishop-elect Paul’s appointment in January 2019 as Executive Secretary of the Bishops’ Council for Education, and of the Catholic Education Services Committee, the Irish Bishops’ Conference has benefited greatly from his expertise in Catholic education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.”

Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam welcomed the appointment of Fr Connell and said he brings to his new position a wealth of experience in Catholic education at the local and national levels. “His role, until now, as Chancellor in the Diocese of Meath, together with his work as Principal of a large diocesan secondary school, and his pastoral experience, has already equipped him for the responsibilities involved in leading a diocese,” he said.

Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath diocese and Chair of the Council for Education of the Irish Bishops’ Conference and Chair of the Catholic Education Service, lauded Fr Connell on his new appointment. “Father Paul has the experience, the ability, the dedication and the faith to undertake this important appointment at this time,” said Bishop Deenihan.

The bishop-elect hails from Mullingar in County Westmeath and was born on January 27, 1958. After secondary education in 1975, he joined St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, for priestly studies. He was ordained on June 20, 1982. He was appointed staff of St Finian’s College where he became vice-president in 1989 and later president and principal in 1998. Bishop-elect Connell, who has a doctorate in history, also served as president of the national support body for secondary schools, the Secretariat for Secondary Schools, from 2013 to 2018. The following year, he was appointed Executive Secretary of the Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference. In 2020, he was appointed by Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath, as Chancellor.