“The more and more I see, the more and more I am convinced that much of our infrastructure, our systems, our pastoral practices that were beneficial in the past, now hinder rather than help the life of faith.”

So declared newly installed Bishop of Galway and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora, Michael Duignan, on May 1st, 2022. The first bishop to be given full responsibility for more than one Irish diocese at installation, Bishop Duignan’s appointment is reportedly to set a pattern for the future that will gradually reduce the number of Irish bishops overall, without amalgamating dioceses

‘Re-evangelisation’

Bishop Duignan continued:

“Here too we stand at a ‘threshold moment‘. Inevitably, there will be a sense of genuine mourning in letting go but these Easter days tell us that out of such death comes new hope and new life. Perhaps the Lord is asking us to throw out our nets in a different direction. In the direction of a new and profound re-evangelisation of ourselves.

“As individuals and as a community, perhaps we now need to focus on rediscovering that living presence of the risen Christ among us. We need to experience again the joy and excitement that His message gives. We need to rekindle our confidence in its ability to transform our oft broken lives and transfigure our suffering world for the better. We need to sense anew that, this joy, like all joy, is a joy that calls out to be boldly talked about and respectfully shared with our fellow travellers on life’s journey.”

For Bishop Duignan’s complete installation homily on May 1st, click here.