New bishop appointed to Diocese of Achonry

A NEW bishop has been appointed to the Diocese of Achonry.

The bishop-elect, Fr. Paul Dempsey, a native of Carlow, was announced by the Papal Nuncio, Jude Okolo, at Mass in the cathederal in Ballaghaderreen this morning (Monday) where he addressed a packed congregation.

He replaces Bishop Brendan Kelly who was appointed to Galway nearly two years ago. Fr. Dermot Meehan has been administrating the diocese since.

Fr. Dempsey has a Mayo connection – his brother Tony lives in Kiltimagh with his wife Mary and family, and he has been a regular visitor over the years.

Most of his life as a priest has been in parish ministry as well as youth and vocations work and some local media involvement. He has organised two diocesan World Youth Day pilgrimages to Cologne (2005) and Sydney (2008) as well as many other youth initiatives.

Fr. Dempsey was born in Carlow Town in April 1971, the youngest in his family, having one brother and two sisters. The family later moved to Athy in Co. Kildare and he joined the seminary in 1989.

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, by Bishop Laurence Ryan in July 1997.

Having served in a number of parishes, he took up his most recent appointed in September 2015 when appointed parish priest of Newbridge and Administrator of Caragh and Prosperous Parishes. The parish has approximately 32,000 parishioners.

Fr. Paul has previously written a weekly column in the Leinster Leader newspaper and he has also presented a weekly religious and social affairs programme on KFM Radio.