Dermot Farrell ordained new Ossory Bishop
MONSIGNOR Dermot Farrell was ordained as Bishop of Ossory in front of a packed congregation at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, recently.
Monsgr Farrell was appointed as the new Bishop of Ossory by Pope Francis on January 3 and was ordained in front of a packed cathedral on March 11.
A former president of St Patrick’s College in Maynooth, Bishop-elect Farrell had served as parish priest of Dunboyne and Kilbride in County Meath since 2007.
From Castletown- Geoghegan in County Westmeath, he replaces Bishop Seamus Freeman in the diocese which covers County Kilkenny and parts of counties Laois and Offaly.
Bishop Freeman retired in 2016 due to ill health and Monsignor Michael Ryan served as Diocesan Administrator in the interim. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, was assisted by His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, and Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath at the ceremony. Fr Dan Cavanagh PP Rosbercon, read the Gospel. The Apostolic Mandate from His Holiness Pope Francis was read by Monsignor Michael Ryan, Administrator of the Diocese of Ossory. Fr Roderick Whearty PP of Saint Patrick’s Parish, was the Master of Ceremonies for the Ordination Mass and Cardinal Séan Brady, Archbishop Emeritus of Armagh presided at the Mass.
Music for the ceremony was performed by a Diocesan Choir including choir members from of the choirs of the 42 parishes of the Diocese under the direction of Fr Richard Scriven PP, Inistioge and Sean O’Neill Director of Music at Saint Mary’s Cathedral.