New Bishop holds position that goes back to time of St Patrick
The newly-ordained Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Mullingar man Paul Connell, occupies a position that goes back to the time of St Patrick, worshippers learned from Archbishop Eamon Martin at the majestic ordination ceremony held on Sunday last at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford.
The first incumbent of the role was St Mel, and his ordination was performed by St Patrick himself. In the case of Bishop Connell, the role of consecrator was occupied by Archbishop Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, assisted by co-consecrators Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam, and by Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath.
The most important clerics in the Irish church were participants in this most holy ceremony – the new Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, and Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop Emeritus of Armagh, among them.
This was a most impressive spectacle, from the procession of clerics; the procession of the banners of the 41 parishes in Bishop Connell’s new diocese; the solemnity and reverence of the occasion – all added to immensely by the stupendous music and singing performed by the choir of St Mel’s under the direction of Fintan Farrelly and with organists Dr John O’Keeffe and Gerard Lillis.
The homily was delivered by Fr Michael McGrath CC, St Mel’s Parish, Longford, who described the day as a special day both for the new bishop “and all the people of God in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois”.
“Paul, today as the twin spires of the Cathedral of Christ the King diminish in your rear-view mirror, we want to assure you of a hundred thousand welcomes in this sacred place. We hope that you will grow to be happy here in your new home,” Fr McGrath told his new superior.
Reflecting on the responsibilities of the faithful, and also of those in ministry, he said the idea of the Kingdom of God “requires some big thinking and big living”, and that the task is to bear witness to our faith “by everything we say and do, so enabling the Reign of God break into our broken world today”.
Telling Bishop Connell he was most welcome among the people of Ardagh and Clonmacnois as their pastor, he said: “Feed us and lead us into friendship with Jesus and keep us reminded that ultimately it is His work we are all about – His kingdom, and that in the end it all depends on Him and on His grace working in all of us, in our homes, our schools, our parishes – all of us working and walking together.”
He continued: “Lead us to see the big picture, the kingdom of God among us and beyond us. And though the task is enormous, and though the labourers are indeed few, we remain grounded but open because in the end it is all down to His grace.”
On behalf of all, he finished with a promise and a plea: “Paul, we promise to work with you. Help each one of us find our voice in the chorus that continues to sing: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand’.”
Bishop Connell in his words to the congregation, recalled for those present his shock at being asked to become Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois: “There are moments in all of our lives when everything suddenly changes,” he said. “Sometimes we can plan for that moment but at other times it comes as a bolt from the blue.
“My appointment by Pope Francis as bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois was such a moment. It was for me completely unexpected. And I was faced with a decision that to say the least was not easy.
“I knew that saying yes, as I did, would change everything. But I did so because in the end I believe that what makes my life authentic is that I continue to have that same faith and trust in God that set me out on the path of priesthood all those years ago.
“And while I have met difficulties and challenges along the way, and while I have also a much better appreciation of how weak a vessel of clay I am, I can honestly say I have never had any regrets about my decision to say yes to priesthood.”
Fr Connell expressed his “deep gratitude” to the people of Ardagh and Clonmacnois for the warm welcome they have given him: “I am looking forward to meeting and working with you across the diocese in the coming years,” he said, before extending thanks to all those involved in the day’s ceremonies, and the later hospitality at St Mel’s College.
The new bishop thanked his predecessors, Archbishop Francis Duffy and Bishop Colm O’Reilly, and Fr Tom Healy, who acted as diocesan administrator after the departure of Archbishop Duffy.