Statement by Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Raphoe on the Appointment of Sr Mary Barron OLA to Senior Vatican Role
I warmly welcome the news that Sr Mary Barron OLA, a native of County Donegal, has been appointed Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, serving as President of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Her appointment marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman to be appointed to this senior leadership role in the Church.
This appointment is, in many ways, a tribute to the countless Irish missionaries, past and present, who have given so generously in service to God’s mission throughout the world. As a member of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), Sr Mary stands within a remarkable tradition that has made an immeasurable contribution to the life of the universal Church.
For generations, Irish missionaries left their homes and families to serve communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania and beyond. Through their faith, dedication, sacrifice and courage, they proclaimed the Gospel, established schools and hospitals, supported local communities and helped build vibrant local Churches. Their witness continues to inspire the Church today as we seek new ways of living and sharing the Gospel in an ever-changing world.
Sr Mary’s appointment is a source of immense pride not only for the missionary community but also for the people of her native parish of Drumoghill, (Manorcunningham) in County Donegal. Her family, friends and neighbours are delighted by this recognition of her outstanding service and leadership within the Church.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sr Mary on this significant appointment. I also offer special congratulations to her mother, Mena, who will undoubtedly take great pride in this achievement, and I remember with gratitude her late father, Jim. We assure Sr Mary of our prayers as she takes up this important responsibility in service of the Church’s mission and the work of evangelisation throughout the world.
May God bless her abundantly in this new chapter of her ministry.
+ Niall Coll,
Bishop of Raphoe
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Press Release
Sr. Mary T Barron OLA Expresses Gratitude and Humility Following Appointment as Adjunct Secretary for the Dicastery of Evangelization, serving as President of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Sr. Mary T Barron, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles has expressed profound gratitude and deep emotion following the announcement by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of her appointment as Adjunct Secretary for the Dicastery of Evangelization, serving as President of the Pontifical Mission Societies., effective 4 January 2027.
Responding to the announcement, Sr. Mary said:
“I receive this appointment with a heart filled with gratitude, humility, and trust in God’s providence. I am deeply thankful to the Holy Father for the confidence he has placed in me and for the opportunity to serve the Church in this important missionary ministry.
My first feeling is one of profound thanksgiving to God. Throughout my life as a missionary and Religious sister, I have sought simply to respond to God’s call wherever it has led me. This appointment was completely unexpected, and I accept it in the same spirit of service that has guided my vocation from the very beginning.”
Reflecting on the historic significance of the appointment, Sr. Mary acknowledged the many women whose lives and witness have shaped the missionary life of the Church.
“As the first woman to be entrusted with this responsibility, I receive this honour with humility and with a profound awareness that it is larger than myself. I see it as a recognition of the countless women, Religious and lay, who have dedicated their lives to proclaiming the Gospel and serving God’s people in every corner of the world. This year my own Congregation celebrates 150 years of missionary service, especially in Africa. Thousands of OLAs have gone before me, paving the way for our missionary engagement from one generation to the next. I honour all of them by accepting this role”.
I am especially grateful that the Holy Father has recognised the value of missionary experience in this role. Missionaries live close to the realities, hopes, and challenges of local churches, and I hope to bring that perspective to the service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.”
Sr. Mary also emphasised that the appointment belongs not only to her personally but also to the Congregation and missionary family that have formed her over many years.
“Whatever gifts or experience I bring to this ministry have been nurtured through the charism of my Congregation and through the witness of generations of sisters who have devoted their lives to God’s mission. I carry their spirit, their wisdom, and their commitment with me into this new responsibility.”
Sr. Mary also spoke of the special significance of representing the rich missionary heritage of Ireland in this new role.
“As an Irish missionary, I am particularly conscious of standing within a remarkable tradition that has contributed so much to the life of the universal Church. For generations, Irish missionaries left their homes and families to serve communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and beyond. Through their dedication, sacrifice, faith, and courage, they brought the Gospel, established schools and hospitals, supported local communities, and helped build vibrant local Churches. I am deeply honoured to represent that missionary heritage and grateful for the witness of those who have gone before us. Their legacy continues to inspire us today as we seek new ways of living and sharing the Gospel in a changing world.”
“This appointment is, in many ways, a tribute to the countless Irish missionaries, past and present, who have given so generously in service to God’s mission. I carry their example with me and hope to honour that tradition by continuing to foster a spirit of missionary solidarity and service throughout the global Church.”
Concluding her message, Sr. Mary asked for prayers for the mission of the Church and for all those engaged in missionary service throughout the world.
“The mission entrusted to us by Christ remains unchanged: to share the Good News and to witness to God’s love among all peoples. I ask for the prayers of the faithful as I prepare to undertake this new ministry, trusting that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide the Church and all those who dedicate their lives to God’s mission.”
About the Pontifical Mission Societies
The Pontifical Mission Societies are the official missionary societies of the Catholic Church, supporting the evangelising mission of local Churches throughout the world through prayer, missionary formation, and the sharing of resources. They serve the Holy Father in fostering missionary awareness and solidarity among Catholics worldwide.