Bishop Donal McKeown appointed Apostolic Administrator of Down and Connor

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Donal McKeown as Apostolic Administrator of Down and Connor, with immediate effect.

Bishop McKeown will also remain Bishop of Derry.

This is a temporary appointment until the appointment of a new Bishop of Down and Conor.

In  statement posted on social media, the Diocese of Derry said: "We ask the Lord to give him renewed strength and peace as he takes on his new role in addition to his role as Bishop of our Diocese.

"In November, Pope Francis appointed the outgoing Bishop Noel Treanor as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union.

"We keep Bishop Donal McKeown in our prayers."

In response to the announcement of Bishop McKeown’s appointment, Archbishop Noel Treanor said: “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.

"As I take leave from the Diocese, I entrust Bishop Donal to the warmth and care of those whom I have had the privilege to know and serve over the last 14 years and I know they will welcome him back as they embraced me upon my arrival.

"Bishop McKeown brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this appointment having already served the people, priests and religious of Down and Connor as a priest (1977-2001) and as Auxiliary Bishop (2001-2014).

"It was an honour to have worked closely with Bishop Donal when I first arrived in this diocese in 2008. As an auxiliary, Bishop Donal was strongly committed to the fields of education, youth ministry, the Living Church project and 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.

"I pray God’s blessing on Bishop Donal as he generously takes up this ministry and service within the Diocese of Down and Connor.”