Carrickmacross PP appointed new Bishop of Clogher

Monsignor Lawrence Duffy, the parish priest of Carrickmacross, has been apponted by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Clogher.
                                                        

Since 2013 Bishop-elect Larry Duffy has been parish priest of Carrickmacross.  He is a native of the neighbouring parish of Magheracloone where he was born in November 1951, son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Duffy. 

Having completed his studies for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Carlow, he was ordained in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan, in 1976.  Since then Bishop-elect Duffy has served in various parishes of the Diocese of Clogher including Enniskillen, Castleblayney, Monaghan and Rackwallace, Ederney, Clones and Carrickmacross.  In addition, he spent four years ministering in the Diocese of Kitui in Kenya.  While in Africa he led the building of a new church in Mwingi in the diocese.  Bishop-elect Duffy was also a keen supporter of religious communities in their setting up of schools in the Diocese of Kitui.  
Bishop-elect Duffy was Vicar General of the Diocese of Clogher from 2013 until the retirement of Bishop MacDaid in 2016.  A former player with Magheracloone Mitchells GAA, Bishop-elect Duffy is also an avid GAA fan and a keen golfer.

The episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Duffy: will take place in Saint Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan, on Sunday 10th February next.

Archbishop Eamon Martin said: “I warmly welcome the appointment by Pope Francis of Monsignor Larry Duffy as Bishop of Clogher.

“Bishop-elect Larry will bring to his role a wealth of pastoral experience having ministered in various parishes - both North and South - in the diocese.  As Clogher is one of our neighbouring dioceses within the metropolitan province of Armagh, I personally look forward to working very closely with him at a local level.  I have no doubt that Bishop-elect Larry will also bring his keen sense of pastoral priorities to bear on our discussions at the Bishops’ Conference, including the benefit of experience and wider perspective gained during his missionary placement in Kenya.  

“I offer every blessing and good wish today to the people, religious and priests of the Diocese of Clogher.  In a special way I pay tribute to Monsignor Joseph McGuinness for his commitment and dedication as Diocesan Administrator since the retirement of Bishop Liam MacDaid in October 2016.  During this time Monsignor Joe has contributed greatly to the discussions and work of the Bishops’ Conference, not least as chairman of our Council for Liturgy.  May God continue to bless his ministry into the future."

The Diocese of Clogher: encompasses all of Co Monaghan, most of Fermanagh and portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan.  It has a Catholic population of 88,000, across 37 parishes, which are served by 58 priests and 2 deacons.  There are 85 churches in the diocese.  Monsignor Joseph McGuinness has been the Diocesan Administrator of Clogher since 3rd October 2016.  He is also the Administrator of the Parish of Tyholland.