The Derry Diocese has a new Catholic Bishop for the first time since 2011 following the appointment of Donal McKeown today.
The Belfast native was unveiled as the new successor to Bishop Seamus Hegarty this morning in simultaneous announcements by Pope Francis I in Rome and the Papal Nuncio to Ireland Charles Brown at St Eugene’s Cathedral.
Derry’s new 63-year-old bishop was ordained as a priest in July 1977, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor and Titular Bishop of Killossy 13 years ago.
Prior to his ordination, Bishop McKeown graduated from Queens University with a BA Honours Degree in Italian and German. He went on to teach English at a school in Germany, before studying for a degree in Sacred Theology in Rome.
Bishop McKeown was also a part-time broadcaster for Vatican Radio during his time in Rome in the 1970’s, and has also worked with RTE.
Upon returning to Ireland, he resumed his teaching career at St Patrick’s College in Knock and later became a teacher and president St Malachy’s College in Belfast. He also studied for another degree in Business Management during his time as school president.
He has previously run the Belfast Marathon to raise funds for a parish minibus.
Bishop McKeown was previously rumoured for the role of Bishop of Down and Connor, and seems to have taken inspiration from the example set by the new Pope.
Writing in an Irish News column last month for Catholic Schools Week, Bishop McKeown said: “If Catholic Church leaders and members have had to learn anything over the last twenty years, it is a heavy dose of humility.”
He added that Pope Francis has ‘succeeded in blending humility with enthusiasm for the joy of the Gospel’.
As well as being a Member of the Council of Education, Bishop McKeown is chairman of the Council for Vocations and also chairs the Council for Vocations.
Bishop of Derry Seamus Hegarty resigned to the former Pope Benedict on health grounds in November 2011 and left his post.
Donegal-born Dr Hegarty had served as Bishop of Raphoe from 1982 until 1994 before taking up his position in Derry.
The now 73-year-old had served as Bishop of Derry since 1994, having previously been Bishop of Raphoe for 12 years.
Monsignor Eamon Martin was installed in a caretaker role within the Derry Diocese until his appointment as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh at the start of 2013. He was succeeded at the helm by Fr Francis Bradley, who handed over the reigns to Bishop McKeown today.
The Papal Nuncio is tonight due to present the seventh annual Pope John Paul Awards on Tuesday,February 25th at 5pm for the Derry City and Inishowen deaneries and at 7.30pm for County Derry and County Tyrone deaneries at the Millennium Forum.
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