‘I came to Ossory as a stranger, but leave enriched by your friendship’ - Bishop as he prepares to leave Kilkenny

The news of my appointment as Bishop of Raphoe, my home diocese, means that my time as Bishop of Ossory has been all too brief.

My heart is filled with gratitude to God for the gift of these past three years, and gratitude to you, the priests, religious and lay faithful of this diocese, who welcomed me so warmly and shared with me the life of faith that has long been the mainstay of this Church.

When I first arrived in Ossory, I came as a stranger. I leave as one who has been enriched by your friendship, your faith and your witness. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

The Diocese of Ossory is blessed with a remarkable sense of community - a faith that is lived in parishes, schools, families and countless works of service. I have seen that faith in the celebration of the Eucharist, in parish gatherings, in the care of the vulnerable, sick and elderly, in the commitment of our Catholic schools, in the welcome extended to newcomers, and in the tireless service of priests who give of themselves day in and day out.

I want to thank the priests of Ossory most especially. Your dedication, often in demanding circumstances, has been a source of deep inspiration to me. You have carried the burdens of pastoral ministry with courage, patience and good humour. I have been privileged to pray with you, to listen to you and to learn from you. Thank you for your kindness to me and for the faithfulness with which you continue to serve your people.

I also want to express a word of sincere gratitude to those who have worked alongside me daily - the staff in the bishop’s office and those who diligently ensure that the many tasks of diocesan life are carried out with care and professionalism. Your support and advice have been a steady help to me in more ways than you may realise, and I am deeply grateful.

I also wish to acknowledge the many lay people who have contributed their professionalism, time and talent to the various diocesan bodies, councils and committees. Your insight and generosity have enriched the life of the diocese and strengthened the bonds of collaboration that are so essential to the Church’s mission today.

To the religious sisters, priests and brothers who have contributed so much, often quietly and unseen, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Your prayer and your service are part of the deep spiritual fabric of this diocese.

And to the lay faithful - to those who lead, teach, organise, volunteer and accompany others in so many ways - I express my sincere appreciation.

I want especially to acknowledge all who serve their parishes and pastoral areas so generously with their time and talent: in parish pastoral councils, finance councils, ministries and the many other ways in which people pull together to serve their communities.

Thanks, too, to all involved both in the annual Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage and in youth ministry. The future of the Church will depend in no small way on the faith and generosity of lay men and women who take seriously their baptismal call to mission.

It is no secret that the Church in Ireland is living through a time of profound transition. The questions being asked at national level about the future shape and structure of our dioceses are not merely administrative - they are pastoral and spiritual. They invite us to consider how best to serve the Gospel in a society that is changing rapidly.

Numbers and boundaries will not define the future of the Church - faith will. What matters most is that we remain open to the Spirit, willing to collaborate and ready to place Christ at the centre of all we do.

Here in Ossory, that spirit of renewal and collaboration is already well advanced. The work of reorganising the diocese into pastoral areas has been carried forward with generosity, realism and faith. I have seen priests and people embracing this process, not as a burden, but as an opportunity to shape together the Church’s mission for the years ahead.

I pray that the first steps that the Diocese is now making in terms of introducing the Ministry of Catechist may be supported and that the project in time will prove to be a great blessing. I am hopeful that what is emerging in Ossory can be a model of how the Church in Ireland might respond creatively and faithfully to the needs of our time.

During my time here, I have seen many signs of renewal: lay people taking on new roles in parish life; priests working together with creativity and generosity; communities reimagining how faith can be handed on to a new generation. These are seeds of hope. I am convinced that the Church in Ossory, with its long history of learning, worship and service, has the capacity to navigate this time of change with faith and courage.

As I return now to the Diocese of Raphoe, I do so carrying with me a deep affection for the people, priests and religious of Ossory. You have taught me much about what it means to be Church - about patience, perseverance and the quiet fidelity that keeps the flame of faith alive. For all of this and more, I thank you.

Please know that you will remain in my prayers. I will continue to ask the Lord to bless this diocese - its priests, its people, its religious, its schools, its parishes and pastoral areas - and to guide you as you discern the path ahead. I pray, too, for my successor, whoever he may be, that he may be received with the same warmth and generosity that you have shown to me, and that he may find here the same spirit of faith and friendship that I have known.

May the Lord who began the good work in us bring it to completion. May he bless the Diocese of Ossory in the years to come and may he grant us all the grace to walk together in faith, with hope in our hearts and Christ as our companion on the journey. He is, as my episcopal motto reminds us, truly ’Christ Jesus our hope’ (1 Tim. 1:1).

Go raibh míle maith agaibh, agus go mbeannaí Dia daoibh go léir.
With every blessing,
Niall Coll