Pictured at St Mel’s Cathedral recently for the announcement of the appointment of Paul Connell as Bishop-elect of Ardagh and Clonmacnois were, from left: Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop Emeritus of Meath; Bishop Colm O’Reilly, Bishop Emeritus of Ardagh & Clonmacnois; Bishop-elect Paul Connell of Ardagh & Clonmacnois; Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam, and Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath. Photo Brian Farrell

Ordination of new Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois due by early July

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The incoming Bishop of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Fr Paul Connell, is due to be ordained in the role by early July.

On April 5, it was announced that the 65-year-old Mullingar native was being appointed to fill a 15-month vacancy at the helm of the local diocese.

In response to a query from the Westmeath Independent this week, a spokesperson for the Catholic Communications Office said the episcopal ordination of Fr Connell would happen "within three months".

The spokesperson added the specific date of the ordination should be known by the beginning of June.

Fr Connell will succeed Cavan native Francis Duffy, who served as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois for more than eight years prior to his installation as Archbishop of Tuam in January 2022.

The ordination of Fr Connell could have particular significance for Athlone, as the Franciscan order previously said it would not be making a decision about the future of the Friary church in the town until after it had a chance to hold discussions with the newly-appointed bishop.

"At the moment, no real decision has been made about the future of the (Friary) church," Fr Gabriel Kinahan, of the Franciscan order, said last October.

"The diocese doesn't have a bishop at the moment and, before any decision is made, our provincial (Fr Aidan McGrath) would like to engage with the bishop as to the future of the church."

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