‘It is a privilege beyond words’ says new Bishop of Derry

County Cavan native Bishop Router is to transfer from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, where he has worked alongside Archbishop and Derry native, Eamon Martin for the past seven years.

Bishop Donal McKeown is to stay on over the summer as Apostolic Administrator of Derry until Bishop Router is formally installed in September.

Speaking at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry on Thursday, Bishop Router told the Journal his appointment ‘came as quite a shock’, but one he was delighted with.

"Everyone, not least Archbishop Eamon Martin, who of course is a Derry man himself, has told me it is a wonderful place, and that the people are open, welcoming, and friendly. I discovered this to be very true here this morning.

"I’ve been bowled over by the great welcome I’ve received, and I am very thankful for it. I look forward to working in the years ahead with the priests and people of this wonderful diocese, and I feel very privileged to have been asked to take on this role.”

Bishop Router acknowledged ‘with gratitude’ his predecessor, Bishop Donal McKeown who “has led this diocese with courage and generosity”, and Archbishop Martin, whose “encouragement and pastoral wisdom have helped me enormously.”

Bishop Router also said working with people of other denominations and faith traditions was ‘very important’ with peace here ‘an ongoing project’.

"We need to build trust within communities. If we all stay in our own little silos, we will never get anywhere. There needs to be work done to build relationships, no matter who or where the person is from. I hope very much to be involved in the work of Communionism between the various different Christian Churches and to continue the good work that has been done beforehand here in this diocese and also the new communities as well, to reach out to them to make them feel welcome."

As someone with a keen interest and a background in sport he said he hopes “to be involved as I possibly can, as much as time allows in various different sporting activities”.

"There is great choice here in Derry that is for sure, in terms of soccer and Gaelic Football and all the rest. I look forward to that aspect of the community life here. Any opportunity I will definitely be involved.”

Speaking directly to the people of Derry, he added: “Derry is a wonderful place. The reputation of Derry resonates throughout the world on so many different levels. It's a wonderful place to live. It's a wonderful place to be. I am very privileged to now be here among the people of Derry and to be given the task of shepherd here in this diocese. It is one that I look forward to. I hope that I will be a person of faith that will provide some guidance and inspiration to them in the years ahead. I want to thank them for their welcome so far and I look forward to getting to know as many people as possible in the years ahead.”

Bishop McKeown, who is stepping down after a 12 year tenure as Bishop of Derry, welcomed his successor as a man who brought ‘great experience and wisdom’.

“I remember standing in this cathedral and being introduced in February 2014 as the successor to Bishop Seamus Hegarty,” Bishop McKeown said.

"Taking on a new task can be a daunting experience, but, as a man of prayer following a divine calling, your motto reminds us that it is done with the inspiration ‘into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit’. And I can assure you of a very hearty welcome from the laity, Religious and clergy of this diocese, as well as wider civic society.

"There is a long-standing tradition here of the churches being seen as valuable partners in civic society – and of great collaboration between the various religious traditions in the area.”

Address Bishop Router he said: “I firmly believe that your arrival for this new chapter in the more than 850 years history of the Diocese of Derry comes at a turning point, when your wide range of skills, experience and insights will be invaluable.

“As I lay down my responsibility as Bishop of Derry, I say to you, céad míle fáilte, is beannaithe an té atá ag teacht in ainm an Tiarna - Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. The diocesan church in Derry is waiting for your leadership. Today I thank God for your willingness to respond positively to the Lord’s call."

Bishop Router meanwhile praised Bishop McKeown, saying: “Throughout his years of ministry here, he has led this diocese with courage and generosity. He has guided the Diocese of Derry through a period of significant social, cultural and ecclesial change. I thank him sincerely for his faithful service.

"I also wish to express my profound gratitude to Archbishop Eamon Martin who is of course a proud Derry man. During the past seven years it has been a privilege to serve alongside him in the Archdiocese of Armagh. His encouragement and pastoral wisdom have helped me enormously.”

The new bishop spoke of how he was born and raised in Virginia, County Cavan, in the parish of Lurgan, the most southern parish in Ulster and a’ long way from Malin Head!’. He also spoke of the challenges ahead for the Diocese and the Catholic Church.

He said his experiences in life “have taught me that while systems and structures are important, the true strength of the Church has always been found in the faith of the people”.

"Thankfully, that faith remains very much alive today. Yet we must also be honest about the challenges and difficulties before us. The Church in Ireland finds herself in a very different position from that which it held even a generation ago. We no longer occupy the centre of public life.

"The wounds caused by abuse and failures of leadership continue to cause severe pain and upset for many and we must never cease asking forgiveness, listening with humility and working patiently towards healing and reconciliation.

“Alongside these realities we face declining numbers of clergy, changing parish structures and the onerous task of passing on the faith in an increasingly secular culture. These realities cannot simply be ignored, nor can they be solved by nostalgia for a past that cannot return.

“Managing change is perhaps one of the greatest responsibilities entrusted to Church leaders today. But change is not simply about reorganising parishes. It is about conversion.

"As your bishop, I will minister among you not with all the answers but with a willingness to listen especially to those who have become distant from the Church, those who feel hurt or disappointed and those who continue to search for meaning.”

“Throughout my ministry,” he added, “I have spoken often about the devastating effects of drug and alcohol addiction within families and communities. Addiction continues to destroy lives quietly and relentlessly. It is one of the great social injustices of our time. While every community suffers, socially disadvantaged areas often carry a disproportionate burden.

"The Church must continue to stand alongside families affected by addiction, to support recovery, to advocate for effective rehabilitation services and to encourage policies that place the dignity of the person before every other consideration. The measure of any society is found in the way it treats its weakest members.

“The dignity and sacredness of life from conception to natural death must also be upheld and promoted. There cannot be peace at any level, socially, domestically or personally, unless we respect and defend life in all its stages.”

Bishop Router also spoke of how it was “imperative that we individuals and as a community continue to call out injustice, inequality and discrimination, wherever it occurs, or else we will descend into a world of chaos and hopelessness”.