Bishop Dermot Farrell received episcopal ordination in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on Sunday 11 March 2018.
The principal celebrant was Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, assisted by Bishop Michael Smith and Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo.
Speaking at the end of the liturgy, the new Bishop referred to Mother’s Day and said that it was “a particular joy that my own mother, Carmel, is with us here today; I thank God for the gift that she has been to me, and to my sisters and brother all throughout our lives.”
Recalling his ministry in the Diocese of Meath, Bishop Farrell said:
“I cannot adequately express my thanks to Bishop Michael Smith. In working with him through practically all of my priestly life, my vocation has been strengthened and enriched. His love for the Church, his fidelity of service, his example of prayerfulness and his availability to both priests and people has inspired me and will continue to do so. For almost 38 years I have been a priest of the Diocese of Meath. To have been a priest in that that diocese is a matter of great pride for me. Those priests who have faithfully served and are serving there taught me how to be a priest. I count on your prayers in the years ahead.”
The full text of Bishop Farrell’s address is available here.
A native of Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath Bishop Farrell was joined by members of his family, including his mother, Carmel Farrell, and sisters and brother: Mary Foley, Orla FitzGibbon, Fintan Farrell, Colette Campbell, and Gemma Egan.
Click here to check out the Mullingar parish Facebook page for photos from the ordination ceremony in Kilkenny.
