New bishop tells Longford congregation courage is required as Church 'facing many challenges'

Born on 27 January 1958, the second of four children to Thomas and Philomena Connell, Bishop Connell told the congregation of laity, religious, clergy, family and guests that courage was required as the Church faced many challenges.

He cautioned, “The model of Church we have been living with will not survive what is happening now.”

During his homily, Fr Michael McGrath CC, welcomed Bishop Connell. “Paul, as the twin spires of the Cathedral of Christ the King diminish in your rear-view mirror, we want to assure you of a hundred thousand welcomes in this sacred place. We hope that you will grow to be happy here in your new home.”

Fr McGrath added, “Paul, you are most welcome among us as Pastor. We promise to work with you. Help each one of us find our voice in the chorus that continues to sing: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand'.”

Bishop Connell expressed his deep appreciation to everyone present in St Mel’s Cathedral and also to those who joined by webcam.

“A special welcome to those joining us from abroad, and in particular those of you in the United States, especially in All Saints and Saint Gabriel’s in Florida, and Saint Gregory’s in San Diego.”

He thanked the new Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor for his presence and Monsignor Julien Kabore, from the Nunciature in Dublin, who broke the news of his appointment to him so gently.

Bishop Connell, who was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, on 20 June 1982, thanked Archbishop Eamon Martin for being principal consecrator and also the two co-consecrators Archbishop Francis Duffy, the former bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and the bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan.

He said he was very grateful for the presence and support of all the bishops, and his two chaplains and good friends Monsignor Joseph McGuinness and Fr Joseph Gallagher.

He thanked Fr Michael McGrath for his eloquent homily and he welcomed the Church of Ireland bishop, Ferran Glenfield, and representatives of other Christian traditions, for their presence and good wishes.

The Mullingar native commended the large network of volunteers for their superb organisation of the day. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Fintan Farrelly, the Cathedral choir and soloists for the wonderful music that adorned our liturgy.
I also deeply appreciate the work of planning and preparation done by Father Turlough Baxter, Master of Ceremonies, and his assistants, and by Father James McKiernan, the priests of the Cathedral and their parish team.

"I would like to thank the Board of Management of Saint Mel’s College, and the principal, Mr Malachy Flanagan and his staff, for their hospitality.”

He paid tribute to his predecessor Archbishop Francis Duffy. “Following his ten years ministering among you as your bishop, there was very genuine regret and sorrow when the news came that he was moving to Tuam as its new archbishop.

"That says a great deal about his commitment and energy and the very pastoral style of his leadership here among you.”

Bishop Connell, a former President and Principal of Saint Finian’s College, referred to how the magnificent St Mel’s Cathedral was ‘reborn from the ashes’ following the devastating Christmas Day fire of 2009 and he paid tribute to Bishop Colm O’Reilly who assured the people of the diocese that their Cathedral would be rebuilt. “It was just one achievement of many during the ministry of Bishop Colm in this diocese for thirty years.

"I am acutely aware of how he is held in the highest esteem and affection by the people of the diocese. And I hope to benefit from his invaluable insight and advice for many years to come.”

Bishop Connell paid tribute to diocese administrator Fr Tom Healy. “Fr Tom tells me he is a very happy man today! I know he is looking forward to a quieter life, for the moment anyway. We all know of the vital role he played in co-ordinating the restoration of this cathedral. But we must also thank him most sincerely for the manner in which he has led the diocese as its administrator since the departure of Archbishop Duffy.”

The new Bishop said there are moments in all of our lives when everything suddenly changes. “Sometimes we can plan for that moment but at other times it comes as a bolt from the blue.

"My appointment by Pope Francis as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois was such a moment. It was completely unexpected for me.”

He admitted being faced with a decision that to say the least was not easy. “I knew that saying yes, as I did, would change everything. But I did so because in the end I believe that what makes my life authentic is that I continue to have that same faith and trust in God that set me out on the path of priesthood all those years ago.

"And while I have met difficulties and challenges along the way, and while I have also a much better appreciation of how weak a vessel of clay I am, I can honestly say I have never had any regrets about my decision to say yes to priesthood.”

Bishop Connell said courage was required as the Church deals with a fall off in vocations. “Today we have listened to the words of the gospel: “the harvest is rich but the labourers are few”.

"What are they saying to us? We know the harvest is rich but certainly at this time very difficult. As a Church we live in interesting times, facing many challenges.

“For too long we have seen the labourers as priests and religious. Yes, we need priests and religious and we need now more than ever to pray for vocations and encourage people, young and older, to accept the invitation that Christ is extending to them.

“I want to acknowledge on your behalf the incredible commitment and service of our priests. This diocese has been so blessed with their ministry.

"We are however an ageing priesthood and the model of Church we have been living with will not survive what is happening now. And so, we, together, as a listening Church, must try to understand and discern that somehow in the midst of this necessary change, that God is speaking to us.”