Bishop Michael Router will succeed Bishop Dónal McKeown
New Bishop-elect announced for Derry Diocese
The new Catholic Bishop of Derry is Bishop Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh.
The announcement of Bishop Router as Bishop-elect for the Derry Diocese was made at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry at 11.00am on Thursday (July 16, 2026).
Bishop Router will succeed Bishop Dónal McKeown, who was appointed Bishop-elect of Derry by the late Pope Francis on February 25, 2014 and was installed on April 6, 2014 in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry.
In keeping with Canon Law, which requires all bishops to submit their resignation to the Pope at the age of 75, Bishop McKeown submitted his resignation to the late Pope Francis on April 12, 2025, just days before the Pontiff’s death.
Now that his successor, Fr , has been appointed by Pope Leo, Bishop McKeown will retain the title of emeritus of his diocese and can keep a residence in the Derry Diocese if he so wishes.
He is a native of County Cavan, Ireland, and previously worked in the Diocese of Kilmore for 30 years before coming to Armagh.
Bishop Michael Router assists the Archbishop of Armagh in leading the archdiocese.
An "auxiliary bishop" is essentially an assistant bishop who supports the main leader of a large diocese.
He has many jobs. He helps train priests, visits local parishes, and manages church affairs.
He is also a key leader for the Synodal Pathway in Ireland.
A synod is a special meeting where church leaders and regular people gather to walk together, share their thoughts, and make decisions.