THE new Bishop of Raphoe, Bishop Niall Coll has told the people of the diocese that he wants to listen to them, to learn and to serve the Gospel together.
On a day of prayer and celebration in St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, parishioners joined family and friends as Bishop Coll, a native of St Johston, was officially installed on Sunday afternoon.
Addressing a packed congregation, Bishop Coll, spoke of his hope that more and more young people are showing a renewed interest in the Word of God.
Bishop Niall Coll displays the Papal scroll announcing him as Bishop of Raphoe, to the congregation. Photos: Brian McDaid.
He said religious practice may have declined, but many have not stopped following.
“We live in a strongly secular culture shaped by individualism and materialism,” he said.
“Religious practice has declined. The abuse crisis has damaged trust. Beyond our shores, war and violence scar human lives – not least in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan – where innocent people continue to suffer grievously. We live in a troubled world marked by conflict, by displacement, poverty and fear.
“And yet many have not stopped following. Some of them may follow more quietly now, more cautiously, sometimes with questions and wounds of their own.
“But they are still praying. Still coming to Mass. Still gathering for funerals. Still bringing children for baptism. Still searching – often tentatively – for meaning, hope and grounding. Faith has not disappeared. But the way people follow has changed.”
Bishop Niall Coll and Monsignor Kevin Gillespie at the doors of St Eunan’s Cathedral at the beginning of the ceremony.
Bishop Coll (62), takes over as Bishop of Raphoe almost three years to the day since his Installation as Bishop of Ossory in Kilkenny.
Clergy members from the Diocese of Ossory were among those in attendance at Sunday’s ceremony along with local clergy, and members of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.
Family members and friends of Bishop Coll, along with lay representatives from across the diocese, as well as teachers and students from local schools, also made up the congregation.
They were formally welcomed to St Eunan’s Cathedral by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Metropolitan Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland who noted how it was such a special day for the Coll family, and especially Bishop Coll’s mother, Kathleen.
“You are very much in our thoughts and prayers this afternoon. I am sure that you are delighted to have Bishop Niall back home again,” Archbishop Martin said.
He said it was an honour and a joy to be in St Eunan’s Cathedral to install a son of Donegal, “one of your own”, Bishop Niall Coll to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe.
Archbishop Martin also offered a special welcome to Cardinal Sean Brady who was also in attendance, along with His Excellency Archbishop Luis M Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor and Bishop Philip Boyce, Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe.
Bishop Niall Coll on the altar at St Eunan’s Cathedral.
The ceremony began with Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, on behalf of the priests and people of the diocese, formally receiving Bishop Niall Coll, and offering their respect and loyal assistance.
Following the moment of his Installation during the Mass, Bishop Coll then led the liturgy as Chief Celebrant and delivered his homily as the new Bishop of Raphoe.
He spoke of his hope that more and more young people are discovering a renewed interest in the church.
Among the congregation were Cllr Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford MD and Chief Supt Goretti Sheridan.
“It is also worth noting that even in the strongly secularised society, there are small but real signs of a renewed interest in the Word of God, especially among some younger people,” he said.
“It seems that some find the well-being focus in school, college and wider culture to be threadbare, and they are discovering a renewed curiosity about Scripture, a search for silence and meaning, and a willingness to listen rather than dismiss. It will be interesting to see how this trend unfolds.
“Standing here today, in this diocese, it is hard not to hear something familiar in these readings. The Diocese of Raphoe, like County Donegal, in general has never claimed to be at the centre of things. And yet it carries a deep memory of faith, faith that has been shaped by hardship, loss, emigration and perseverance. Faith that endured because people kept following, even when the road was long and the rewards were not obvious.”
Canon David Crooks who was among those to attend the ceremony.
The ceremony also celebrated the memory of St Colmcille who Bishop Coll said is so deeply woven into the story of the diocese. Mass cards made especially for the ordination ceremony bore an image of the saint taken from the stained glass window in Arranmore Church.
The choir comprised members drawn from the 33 parishes of the Diocese of Raphoe, and performed under the direction of Fr Michael Carney.
Following the conclusion of the Mass Bishop Coll took time to greet members of the congregation in person at the front door of the cathedral.
