New role for former Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois

Francis Duffy, who served for eight years as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to minister simultaneously as Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Killala.

The appointment was announced earlier today (Monday) following 10am Mass in Saint Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina, in the Diocese of Killala.

The new dual role for Archbishop Duffy comes after he previously served as apolostolic administrator of Killala in addition to his role as Archbishop of Tuam.

In 2013, St Mary's Church in Athlone hosted Francis Duffy's ordination as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, a role he would hold until November 2021, when Pope Francis appointed him as Archbishop of Tuam.

He was succeeded as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois by Paul Connell in 2023.

Speaking today about his new role as Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Killala, Francis Duffy acknowledged that holding both positions at once would be "something new".

"For the first time, the Bishop of Killala is, at the same time, the Archbishop of Tuam, and in him both dioceses are united," he said.

"The Church describes this as the union of dioceses in persona episcopi, in the person of the Bishop. The two dioceses remain distinct, their individual identities are preserved, they are governed separately, but they share the same Bishop."

The uniting of the dioceses follows a similar pattern to the uniting of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora with the Diocese of Clonfert, and the Diocese of Achonry with the Diocese of Elphin.