Latest Updates

Online Advent Calendar 2024

This Sunday, 1 December, to coincide with the first day of Advent, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference will launch the digital 2024 Advent calendar with the theme of Hope on www.catholicbishops.ie   Advent also marks the beginning of the new calendar year for Christians.  The digital Advent calendar offers a distinctive and spiritually enriching way...

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A Pre-Election Message from Bishop Kevin Doran

Serving the Common Good – Respecting the Person The long-awaited General Election has finally been called, and the candidates have been out campaigning for seats in the 34th Dáil. The exercise of public office is a service to the common good and we are fortunate in Ireland to have so many people who are willing,...

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Pastoral Message of Bishop Kevin Doran

Click here to read the Pastoral Message and Summary of Feedback Audio Recording of Pastoral Message: Audio Recording of the Summary of Feedback:  Click here for A Prayer for the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin To the Faithful of the Diocese of Achonry and the Diocese of Elphin Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It...

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New Encyclical from Pope Francis

Pope Francis has released his fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), focused on the human and divine love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. “The symbol of the heart has often been used to express the love of Jesus Christ. Some have questioned whether this symbol is still meaningful today. Yet living as...

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Visit of the Relics of St Bernadette

Click on the image below to view schedule This Autumn, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to Ireland for the very first time, visiting every diocese in the country. This very special, once-in-lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms...

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Pastoral Letter – A Hundred Thousand Welcomes?

Click here to read the Pastoral Letter on Immigration in full

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Statement of Bishop Kevin

Statement of Bishop Kevin Doran following the publication of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders I have been reading through the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders. It is not...

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Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock

The annual diocesan pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Sunday 18th August 2024 with Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm and Mass, celebrated by Bishop Kevin, at 3.00pm in the Basilica.  Our pilgrimage takes place during the Novena, details of which are available here.

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Diocesan Appointments 2024

Bishop Kevin has made the following appointments: Vocations: (Effective April 1st) A new Vocations Team has been appointed, comprising: Fr. Pat Lombard, Fr. Chris Garrett, Fr Raul Cino. Athlone / Athleague / Cathedral:  Fr. Innocent Sunu (CC Athlone) will be Curate at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, Sligo, effective 1st August 2024. Fr. Christopher Edebianga (PP...

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Day for Life 2024

Message for the Day for Life – June 16 2024  “The Lord is my Shepherd – Compassion and Hope at the End of Life” There has been much discussion in the media recently about “assisted suicide”, whereby people who feel they are overburdened by suffering will be facilitated in bringing their lives to a premature...

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