New Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll ordained at St Mary's Cathedral in Kilkenny today

A new era begins in Kilkenny today, following the the celebration of Mass for the Episcopal Ordination of Father Niall Coll as Bishop of Ossory.

 Laity, religious, clergy, family and guests attended the event at St Mary's Cathedral at 3pm this afternoon.

The Chief Ordaining Prelate was Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, who was assisted by Co-Consecrators Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin and outgoing Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ossory, and Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Raphoe.  Monsignor Julien Kaboré, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland, will also attend.  Father Kieran O’Shea of the Diocese of Ossory, will preach the homily. The Cathedral Choir provided music for the Mass.

Niall Coll was born on August 25, 1963 in Letterkenny, Donegal. During his ministry, Bishop Coll, in conjunction with his priestly appointments, has conducted retreats for clergy, is a contributor to various publications, including Doctrine and Life, The Furrow, The Irish Theological Quarterly and The Tablet, and in addition was the Editorial Director of the Catholic School ethos journal Le Chéile.

He won't arrive in his new surroundings as a complete stranger. Fr Tom Norris and Fr Willie Dalton, priests of the Ossory diocese, who he describes as ‘passionate and insightful lecturers’, taught him theology and canon law during his time at Maynooth College and he spent three years teaching at Carlow College in the 1990s.

“I realised when studying with people from Kilkenny that it's the centre of hurling – a big change from the cricket in St Johnston,” he said last week

“I am under no illusions about the challenges, but also I am intensely grateful for the opportunity I have to continue my priestly ministry and build God's kingdom.

“I am so lucky that my parents are hale and hearty and I am so happy that they can join me.”