Bishop welcomes new Dublin archbishop and agrees with criticism of offensive sketch

THE Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran has welcomed the appointment of the new Archbishop of Dublin Dr Dermot Farrell.

And he wished Archbishop Diarmuid Martin well in his retirement. The Pope accepted a retirement request from the Archbishop Martin. He turned 75 last year and, under Vatican rules, bishops must offer to resign when they reach that age.

When welcoming the appointment of Bishop Farrell as the next Archbishop of Dublin, Bishop Doran said Bishop Farrell brings with him many years of pastoral experience in busy parishes as well as a 10-year term as president of Maynooth. Bishop

Doran went on: “Since Bishop Farrell joined the Episcopal Conference as Bishop of Ossory almost three years ago, I have come to appreciate his hard work, his insightfulness and his good humour.

“I wish him every blessing as he takes on the pastoral leadership of this great diocese which, along with many challenges, is blessed with many gifts and many kinds of service to the Lord.”

Referring to the retirement of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Bishop Doran said it was “a significant day for Archbishop Diarmuid Martin after over 50 years of service as a priest, more than 20 of them as a bishop.

“We have known one another for over 40 years and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. I wish him health and happiness in his retirement,” Bishop Doran concluded. On Saturday, Bishop Doran retweeted a message by Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, in which the archbishop condemned a New Year’s Eve comedy item that was broadcast on RTÉ. The primate wrote: “I am shocked that producer/editor of ‘NYE Countdown Show’ didn’t realise how deeply offensive was a mocking ‘news report’ accusing God of rape and reporting his imprisonment.

“This outrageous clip should be removed immediately and denounced by all people of goodwill.”

Bishop Doran commented: “I agree. It is in total conflict with RTÉ’s own Journalism and Content Guidelines Section 9.”