New bishop warmly welcomed in Elphin

Bishop Kevin Doran ‘s episcopal ordination

“Welcome to the sheepfold” is how the homilist welcomed Bishop Kevin Doran to the Diocese of Elphin at his episcopal ordination in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo on Sunday. Claiming that Roscommon is the sheep capital of the northern hemisphere, Canon Liam Devine, Parish Priest of Athlone, told his new bishop that he couldn’t have come to a better place to follow Pope Francis’ instructions to have the “smell of sheep” on him.

Listing a “bleak landscape of falling vocations, a selective and sometimes hostile media and dwindling Mass attendances” as a challenge and heavy burden for a bishop, Canon Devine said the Church must cling to the hope that is Jesus Christ.

He assured the bishop of the prayers, support and co-operation of the people of the diocese, and said that as Bishop Doran was known as a “man of principle with the courage to stand up for Christian values”, the diocese is thankful for his leadership.

Canon Devine also paid tribute to Bishop Christy Jones on his retirement, for a life of “unique service, commitment and quiet dedication”, which received rapturous applause from the congregation for the much-loved bishop.

Bishop Doran also thanked Bishop Jones for his generous welcome to Elphin and said he hoped he would find “a new way to place his wisdom and faith at the service of the diocese”.

The new bishop said that in the few weeks he had been in Elphin he was very impressed with what he had seen, particularly how young people are actively involved in the life of the Church, and on the eve of his ordination he attended a youth led vigil of prayer in the cathedral with Bishop Jones.

Speaking of challenges for the future, Bishop Doran identified vocations and the shortage of priests as a key issue. He said the “reality is that the bishop can only send priests to parishes if the parishes send candidates who can be prepared for ordination”. A new strategy for the promotion of vocations will be a priority for the new bishop, but in the meantime he set a challenge for each deanery to find a suitable candidate for the priesthood between now and Easter.

The principal ordaining bishop at the ceremony was Bishop Christy Jones, assisted by Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam and Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown.

A great privilege 

Bishop Jones said it was a “great privilege” to ordain his successor, and that the new bishop will find that the love of the people of the diocese “will make the love of God visible and tangible for you daily, and be your greatest source of strength as their bishop”.

Along with Bishop Doran’s family and friends there were 25 permanent deacons, 30 bishops, 150 priests and 500 representatives from parishes at the ceremony, all facilitated by a team of 300 volunteers from across the Diocese of Elphin.

At the entrance procession parish representatives emptied soil from earthenware pots into a miniature field at the altar symbolising a communion and partnership in mission.

The congregation were in fine singing voice for the occasion, joining in with the cathedral choir with gusto. Two musical pieces were specially composed for the ceremony, one by the organist in Bishop Doran’s old parish of Donnybrook in Dublin, and the other by the organist in Sligo Cathedral. In a nod to Bishop Doran’s role as Secretary General of the Eucharistic Congress, the congress hymn was performed at Communion.

Ceremony

The ceremony was broadcast live by two local radio stations and streamed online on the diocesan website, and signing was provided by Fr Gerard Tyrrell and members of the National Council for Deaf People.bishops, 150 priests and 500 representatives from parishes at the ceremony, all facilitated by a team of 300 volunteers from across the Diocese of Elphin.

At the entrance procession parish representatives emptied soil from earthenware pots into a miniature field at the altar symbolising a communion and partnership in mission.

The congregation were in fine singing voice for the occasion, joining in with the cathedral choir with gusto. Two musical pieces were specially composed for the ceremony, one by the organist in Bishop Doran’s old parish of Donnybrook in Dublin, and the other by the organist in Sligo cathedral. In a nod to Bishop Doran’s role as Secretary General of the Eucharistic Congress, the congress hymn was performed at Communion.

The ceremony was broadcast live by two local radio stations and streamed online on the diocesan website, and signing was provided by Fr Gerard Tyrrell and members of the National Council for Deaf People.