Upheaval in Laois Catholic diocese acknowledged by temporary leader appointed by Pope Leo

The newly appointed temporary leader of Catholics in the Ossory Diocese has acknowledged upheaval in the leadership of the Roman Catholic district, which includes six Laois parishes.

The Catholic Church in Ireland announced that, as of Sunday, January 25, Bishop Ger Nash would assume the position of Apostolic Administrator on foot of his appointment by Pope Leo. The Diocese includes Rathdowney, Durrow, Aghaboe, Castletown, Camross, Borris-in-Ossory.

The announcement came on the foot of the installation ceremony of Bishop Niall Coll, the former Bishop of Ossory and new Bishop of Raphoe. Bishop Coll had been operating as administrator since his transfer to Donegal in February. 

Following his appointment, Bishop Nash thanked the Pope and acknowledged the turnover in leadership in Ossory in recent years. Bishop Coll has been in Ossory since January 2023, replacing Archbishop Dermot Farrell who became Archbishop of Dublin, after serving as Bishop of Ossory between 2018 and 2020.

"I resolve to carry out my pastoral and administrative duties in both dioceses to the best of my ability," he said in a statement issued to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

I am very much looking forward to working with the priests, Religious, diocesan staff and the people of the Diocese of Ossory. I know that there has been much change in the diocese over a short number of years but I am confident that we can all work well together to build on the proud traditions of the Diocese of Ossory.

"The diocese is blessed to have many talented priests and people who carry out great work each day, often unheralded, and I hope to be able to assist them in every way I can," he said.

He said the appointment will impact his Limerick Diocese. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

"I am very conscious that this appointment also affects the Diocese of Ferns. I thoroughly enjoy my work and role as Bishop of Ferns and will continue to do so. I consider it a great privilege to be part of Ferns diocese and have always felt a warm and genuine welcome.

"However, with this extra responsibility, I will not have the same time to devote to every aspect of my life and work in Ferns. I am very confident, though, that we have good strong systems in place in Ferns, a wonderful body of clergy, hardworking diocesan staff and no shortage of people willing to step up to the mark when called upon," he said.

Bishop Coll thanked the people of Ossory.

"On a personal note, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to you, clergy and Religious, for your faithful service - most of you over several decades - to the People of God in Ossory. I also wish to thank you, the lay faithful, who contribute so generously and in so many different ways to the life of faith in the parishes and pastoral areas, and who voluntarily serve on various diocesan committees and pastoral outreaches.

"I wish to offer Bishop Ger my warm congratulations and best wishes as he undertakes his additional responsibility as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ossory. I am greatly heartened by this news and am confident that Bishop Ger will bring a wealth of pastoral, personal and episcopal experience to the diocese," he said.

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Bishop Nash was appointed as Bishop of Ferns in 2021.

The Diocese of Ossory has a Catholic population of 83,595. The diocese comprises 42 parishes, 35 priests in active ministry, and covers the areas of most of Co Kilkenny, south Laois and one Co Offaly. 

Rathdowney, Durrow, Aghaboe, Castletown, Camross, Borris-in-Ossory are the six Laois parishes.

An Apostolic Administrator is appointed to temporarily govern a diocese when warranted by special circumstances. The Apostolic Administrator governs in the name of the Holy Father.