BISHOP Niall Coll of Raphoe has welcomed the appointment of Bishop Michael Router as the new Bishop of Derry, following confirmation from Pope Leo XIV.
In a statement issued on July 16, Bishop Coll extended good wishes to Bishop Router on behalf of the people of the Diocese of Raphoe, and offered assurances of prayers as he prepares for his new ministry in the neighbouring diocese.
“On behalf of the people and clergy of the Diocese of Raphoe, I would like to extend our good wishes to Bishop Michael Router on his appointment by Pope Leo XIV as bishop of the neighbouring Diocese of Derry,” said Bishop Coll.
He also paid tribute to outgoing Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, wishing him well in retirement.
The appointment was announced by Bishop McKeown at Saint Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry, where he introduced Bishop Router to the diocese.
A native of Cavan, Bishop Router has ministered in the cross-border Archdiocese of Armagh for the past seven years and has been Auxiliary Bishop there since 2019. His priesthood began as a curate, and he has since gained experience in education, adult faith formation and diocesan administration.
“I firmly believe that your arrival for this new chapter in the more than 850 years history of the Diocese of Derry comes at a turning point,” said Bishop McKeown.
Bishop McKeown, who succeeded Bishop Seamus Hegarty in February 2014, is to retire from the role after more than a decade of service.