Breaking News: Bishop Alan McGuckian, SJ has today 2nd February been appointed by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
See below a statement from Bishop Alan to the People of the Diocese of Raphoe
24.Letter to Diocese of Raphoe
2nd February, 2024
Feast of the Presentation
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Peace!
It was announced today that I have been appointed Bishop of Down and Connor. I was informed a short time ago by the Apostolic Nuncio that Pope Francis was asking this new service of me. It will be a great sorrow for me to leave so many wonderful friends here in Donegal. I have been overwhelmed during the past six years by the kindness and readiness of so many people to take me into their hearts. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to have been your bishop.
As a priest I try to live my life under obedience to the Lord and when he calls on me to move again, even though I certainly did not expect or seek it, I go forward in trust.
I have loved serving in this diocese because there is a bedrock of faith among you that is a great treasure. It has inspired and encouraged me. I hope and pray that your faith and trust in God working through you in your parish communities will grow ever deeper.
I will be Apostolic Administrator of Raphoe for the next few weeks as I prepare to move on. After I take up office in Down and Connor, the College of Consultors will meet to choose a Diocesan Administrator to lead the diocese in the interim. I will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in all the parishes as scheduled until the end of February. After that, delegation will be given to the local pastors.
You, the people of Raphoe have always been in my daily prayers since I first heard that I was to be your bishop six and a half years ago. Now, I ask that you pray for me as I go to take up the Church’s mission in pastures new.
Faoi bhrat na Maighdine Muire muid uilig
+Alan McGuckian SJ
Bishop of Raphoe
2ú Feabhra, 2024, Féile na Toirbhirte
A Chairde i gCríost,
Síocháin libh!
Fógraíodh inniu gur ceapadh mé im’ Easpag ar Dheoise an Dúin agus Choinnire. Dúirt Nuinteas an Phápa liom tamall beag ó shin go raibh an Pápa ag iarraidh orm an tseirbhís úr seo a ghlacadh. Is abhar mór bróin domh go bhfuil mo thréimhse i mo Easpag ar Ráth Bhoth tagtha chun deiridh agus a oiread sin cairde agam anseo i nDún nan Gall. Tá mé chomh buíoch do Dhia as an chaidreamh agus an chairdeas a mhothaigh mé le sagairt agus le pobal na deoise. Is í an phribhiléid is mó i mo shaol go bhfuil – go raibh – mé i mo easpag libhse.
Mar shagart déanaim mo dhícheall mo shaol a chaitheamh in umhlaíocht don Tiarna agus nuari a iarann sé orm bogadaigh ar aghaidh, cé nach raibh mé ag súil leis ná á lorg, téim chun tosaigh le muinín.
Ba mhór agam bheith anseo in bhur measc agus d’aithin mé go bhfuil bunchloch daingean creidimh ag daoine anseo agus is mór an taisce atá ansin. Thug sé inspioráid agus uchtach domhsa. Tá súil le Dia agam rachaidh an creideamh atá agaibh agus bhur muinín i nDia i ndoimhne agus i dtreise.
Beidh mé i mo Riarthóir Aspalda ar Ráth Bhoth go ceann tamaill bhig agus mé ag déanamh réidh le himeacht. I ndiaidh domh dul i mbun dualgaisí sa dheoise úr beidh ar Choláiste na gComhairleoirí teacht le chéile agus Riarthóir Deoiseach a thoghadh. Ceiliúrfaidh mé Sacraimint an Chóineartaithe sna paróistí atá beartaithe go dtí deireadh Mhí Feabhra. Ina dhiaidh sin tabharfar údarás do na sagairt áitiúla.
Ón chéad lá a chuala mé go raibh mé le teacht anseo bhí sibh, pobal Ráth Bhoth imo chuid paidreacha. Anois, iarraim oraibh paidir a rá ar mo shon agus mé ag imeacht le obair Dé a dhéanamh i ngort úr.
Faoi bhrat na Maighdine Muire muid uilig
+Alan McGuckian SJ