Dr Donal McKeown making his way into St Eugene’s Cathedral to be installed as the new Bishop of Derry.
Most Rev Dr Donal McKeown has been installed as the new Bishop of Derry.
The former Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, who will celebrate his 64th birthday next week, was installed to the role by Archbishop Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, at a special ceremony held in St Eugene’s Cathedral in the city this afternoon.
As Bishop, Dr McKeown is now the leader of 245,000 Catholics spread across 51 parishes and served by 104 diocesan priests on both sides of the border, consisting of Derry city, most of Co Derry as well as parts of Donegal, Tyrone and Antrim.
Bishop McKeown succeeds Most Rev Dr Seamus Hegarty who retired as Bishop of Derry in November 2011 on health grounds.
The new Bishop was in a relaxed, jovial mood as he waited at the Great Western Doors of the Cathedral for the formal beginning of the ceremony.
New Bishop of Derry Most Rev Dr McKeown with St Anne’s PS Pupils Holly and Teaghan.
During a slight delay in the doors being opened, Dr McKeown joked with well-wishers and local scouts who had formed a guard of honour.
Once opened, he was formally welcomed to his Cathedral Church and presented to the Diocesan Administrator and the College of Consultors.
Cardinal Seán Brady, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Armagh, presided over the ceremony which was also attended by Archbishop Eamon Martin, coadjutor archbishop of Armagh, who will succeed Cardinal Brady as Primate of All-Ireland later this year.
Bishop McKeown was preceded into the Cathedral by over 120 priests from the dioceses of Derry and Down and Conor.
Among those present were bishops from dioceses throughout Ireland, the Aide-de-Camp of the President of Ireland, Lt (NS) David Lyons, representing Irish President Michael D Higgins, Commandant Ciaran Kenny, who attended on behalf of Taoiseach Enda Kennym the Lord-Lieutenant of the Derry, Dr Angela Garvey, who represented the Queen of England.
Local leaders of the main Protestant churches in the city were among those who attended.
Specially invited guests included Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Mayor of Derry SDLP Cllr Martin Reilly, and former SDLP leader and Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume and his wife Pat.
Addressing those present, Bishop Martin paid tribute to his predecessors and to those who had led the Derry Diocese following the resignation of Bishop Hegarty.
He said: “It is important to me to pay tribute to my predecessors, Bishops Edward Daly and Seamus Hegarty, both of them ably supported by the faithful ministry of Bishop Franics Lagan.
“The last more than two years have been times of uncertainty and I have to acknowledge the work of Archbishop Eamon Martin, and then of Fr Francis Bradley.
“They had the burden of leadership thrust on them by their colleagues and have laboured to ensure that the day-to-day workings of the diocese and parishes could continue.”
He also paid tribute to his family and friends.
He said: “Thank you for all love and support over the years. You have allowed me to be part of your lives and that has enriched me beyond measure.
“I would not be the person that I am without your love and strength. And I would not wish to continue without the continuation of that milk of human kindness.”
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