Archbishop Eamon Martin offers best wishes to Bishop Niall Coll on appointment as Bishop of Raphoe

The Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin has offered his prayers and best wishes to Bishop Niall Coll following his appointment today as the new Bishop of Raphoe by Pope Leo XIV.

Bishop Coll is returning home to the Diocese of Raphoe, having been ordained there in 1988. He leaves the Diocese of Ossory, where he served as a much-loved pastor.

"Bishop Niall has been a much loved pastor and shepherd in the Diocese of Ossory, and no doubt his appointment back to Donegal will come as a disappointment to the priests and people of Kilkenny and Laois, where he was ordained as Bishop of Ossory in January 2023.

“Bishop Niall is already serving the Bishops’ Conference with distinction as a member of the Council for Doctrine’s Theological Committee and as a member of both the Council for Education and of the Council for Catechetics.

“His wide experience in the field of third level education is of great value to the Bishop’s conference and I look forward to his continued contributions as a member of the Conference.

St Johnston native Bishop Niall Coll confirmed as new Bishop of Raphoe

Bishop Coll, a native of St Johnston, was appointed to the role by Pope Leo XIV and the announcement was confirmed at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny this morning by Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Kevin Gillespie

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“Bishop Niall’s pastoral leadership has also been evident in his work with other churches, his public interventions on Church/State history and relations, and his all-island perspectives on effectively serving the common good.”

The Archbishop also extended his gratitude to Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, who steps down today from the role of Diocesan Administrator of Raphoe, having been elected to serve by the diocesan clergy in March 2024.

“As Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Kevin’s participation at meetings of the Bishops’Conference in Maynooth has always been insightful and helpful to its work.  I offer my prayerful good wishes to Monsignor Kevin for his future ministry, and look forward to our continued friendship.”