Bishop Francis Duffy will be new Archbishop of Tuam

THE new Archbishop of Tuam has been announced.

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, to succeed retiring Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary.

The announcement was made at Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption this morning where the Archbishop-elect concelebrated Mass with the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland Jude Thaddeus Okolo and Archbishop Michael Neary.

Francis Duffy was born in 1958 and is a native of the parish of Templeport, Co Cavan.

In April Archbishop Michael Neary tendered his resignation to Pope Francis after serving 26 years as the head of the Tuam Archdiocese.

Dr Neary, who celebrated his 75th birthday this year, was obliged to stand down in line with the requirement for all bishops to do so on reaching the age of 75.

Speaking at Mass in Tuam this morning Archbishop-elect Duffy said he was looking forward to new his role: "I particularly look forward to meeting with the parishioners, parish pastoral councils and school communities throughout this diocese. I greet the religious, those who have dedicated their lives with great generosity to the mission of the gospel in so many areas of life and continue to do so.

"This archdiocese is renowned for the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine at Knock and for Croagh Patrick and also for Ballintubber Abbey and Máméan. I look forward to engaging with the deep spiritual traditions and culture of this area."

He thanked Archbishop Michael Neary for his warm welcome and said he was following in the footsteps of "a true shepherd who has led this diocese with great wisdom, sensitivity, and faithfulness for 27 years as Archbishop".