Virginia native installed as new Bishop of Derry

The native of Virginia, County Cavan, was installed at Mass in a packed Saint Eugene's Cathedral last Sunday, when Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, lead the ceremony.

Among the congregation numbering approximately 850 people were Bishop Router's family and primary school students from the Templeport parish, as representatives of Cavan. They joined secondary school students from throughout the diocese of Derry and Raphoe in a guard of honour for Bishop Router. People from every parish in the Diocese carried banners of their parish name at the beginning of the ceremony.

In his homily, Bishop Michael Router said he felt "enormously grateful to God" for bringing him to the Diocese of Derry.

"I come to this diocese knowing that I have much to learn. So perhaps the best place for a new bishop to begin is not by talking too much, but by listening," striking a humble note.

He recalled holding two separate meetings in Derry in recent weeks; one with the clergy and another with lay people involved in the diocese.

Following the meetings, Bishop Router revealed that both groups felt the most positive aspect of the diocese was the continuing faith of the people.

"Both the clergy and the laity identified a spiritual depth in the local Church. The clergy repeatedly refer to the goodness, welcome and support of parishioners, and the laity spoke warmly of priests who are dedicated, available and involved in community life. It is evident that the Church here is experienced as a network of relationships rather than simply an institution. This suggests that one of the diocese’s greatest assets is the mutual affection and trust that still exists between many priests and their people," he said.

Bishop Router also thanked Bishop Donal McKeown for his pastoral care of the diocese, which "ensured that such a culture of love and respect is flourishing" in Derry today.

"Both the priests and lay people in their respective groups recognised a strong resilience in the face of difficulties. Church scandals and the changing patterns of practice are prominently mentioned, yet all speak of 'pockets of hope' and a 'strong foundation to build upon'. The common picture is that of a diocese whose spiritual life is sustained not only by formal liturgy but by a broad culture of popular prayer and devotion," he said.

While valuing tradition, both groups recognised the need for renewal and "new approaches that speak to people immersed in a modern culture so completely different from anything experienced before in history".

"Much of what emerged from these brief consultations are the foundations upon which a future pastoral strategy can realistically be built," said Bishop Router, looking forward to working alongside both clergy and parishioners.