The new Bishop-elect of Clogher, Monsignor Larry Duffy is looking forward to meeting parishioners throughout Clogher when he takes up his new role within the Diocese.

Monsignor Duffy was announced as the new Bishop of Clogher in December, filling the position formerly held by Bishop Liam McDaid, that has been vacant since 2016.

It has been a busy few months in the build up to Monsignor Duffy’s ordination, which takes place on Sunday, February 10 at 3pm at St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan but the new Bishop says he is looking forward to beyond Sunday and the future of his work within the Diocese.

“I would hope to bring what ever gifts the people who selected me saw that I had and I think it has something to do with I enjoy people I enjoy involvement in peoples lives and in general just meeting people and encouraging and understanding people and probably that is where part of God is in the engagement between human beings.”

Monsignor Duffy is looking forward to visiting parishes within the Diocese and meeting with parishioners in his new role, encouraging more people to become involved as well as facing the challenges the Catholic Church faces in Ireland.

“I would say I look forward to meeting them. I look forward to engaging with them, being nourished by their faith and their commitment and also whatever little blessing I can bring to that as well.

“I would like particularly to encourage people who are involved in parishes to keep up the good work. There are a lot of openings out there for other people to take ownership in their involvement in their Parish with some training and assistance.

“Everything is a challenge. Everyday meeting people, meeting new situations. Obviously the situation in the church in Ireland is constantly on the move.

“We maybe don’t have as many vocations as previously and less priests and the fallout or what happens because of that I would see as priority,” he said during an interview with The Impartial Reporter.

Changes to Mass times in the Diocese last year due to a lack of priests caused some annoyance amongst some people in Clogher but with these low numbers, the way different parishes are facilitated has to change as well according to Monsignor Duffy.

“We had some change down where I was, there was no great contention down there, but possibly in some other places there was with less priests than before. Obviously how we service parishes and work with parishes will be a bit different and that obviously involves trying to facilitate a number of parishes it may involve a reduction of Masses or reduction of services.”

Monsignor Duffy was ordained in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan in 1976 by Bishop Patrick Mulligan. Since then he has served in various parishes of the Diocese of Clogher including Enniskillen, Castleblayney, Monaghan and Rackwallace, Ederney, Clones and Carrickmacross.

In addition, he also spent four years working in the Diocese of Kitui in Kenya. During that time, he helped to lead the building of a church in Mwingi.

He was Vicar General of the Diocese of Clogher from 2013 until the retirement of Bishop MacDaid in 2016.