SW News:

In Ireland, Pope Francis has named Bishop Donal McKeown of the Diocese of Derry as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Down and Connor on January 21. 

“I warmly welcome the appointment this morning, by Pope Francis, of Bishop Donal McKeown as Apostolic Administrator of Down and Connor, pending the appointment of a new bishop to Down and Connor,” said Archbishop Noel Treanor in response to the appointment of Bishop McKeown as the Apostolic Administrator. The former shepherd of Down and Connor Diocese, Archbishop Treanor was recently appointed the Apostolic Nuncio to the EU. 

The Archbishop hailed Bishop McKeown’s “wealth of knowledge and experience to this appointment having already served the people, priests and religious of Down and Connor was a priest (1977-2001) and as Auxiliary Bishop (2001-2014).” He said it was an honor to have closely worked with him when he took over the diocese in 2008. 

He said as an auxiliary, Bishop McKeown “was strongly committed to the fields of education, youth ministry, and the Living Church project”. “I highly valued his insightful guidance and his advice. I know that he will bring these same skills to his governance of the diocese, a responsibility he will carry alongside remaining Bishop of the Diocese of Derry”. 

The Archbishop concluded by saying that as he takes leave from Down and Connor Diocese, he is entrusting the Apostolic Administrator to the warmth and care of everyone whom he had the honor of knowing and serving over the past 14 years. “I know that they will welcome him back as they embraced me upon my arrival. I pray God’s blessing on Bishop Donal as he generously takes up this ministry and service within the Diocese of Down and Connor.”