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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday appointed Father Fintan Monahan as the new Bishop of Killaloe in Ireland. Aged 49, the Bishop-elect is currently serving as Diocesan Secretary in the Archdiocese of Tuam.

In a separate development, Pope Francis on Friday accepted the resignations of Martin Drennan, Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Bishop Seamus Freeman of Ossory, both of Ireland. The two men stepped down in accordance with Article 401§2 of the Code of Canon Law.

Please see below an overview of the life and ministry of Bishop-elect Monahan:

•             Fintan Monahan was born in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 23 January 1967.  His parents are Tom and Peg Monahan and he has one brother, Seán, and one sister, Caitríona, who is married to Dominic.  From 1980-1996 the family lived in Carraroe, Co Galway where his father was principal teacher at Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua. In 1996 the family moved to Castlegar, Galway City, the native home of his mother.

•             Primary education was in Tullamore and secondary education was in Carraroe before studying for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Tuam in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1984.  In 1987 he completed a B.Sc. in NUI Maynooth, a B.D. in the Pontifical University in 1990, an S.T.L. in Biblical Theology in 1992 and a H.Dip. in Education in NUI Galway in 1993.

•             Ordination to the priesthood was in Séipéal Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua on 16 June 1991 by Archbishop Joseph Cassidy.  While studying for the H.Dip. in Education in Galway he was curate in An Tulach, Baile na hAbhann, Conamara from 1992-1993.  From 1993-2006 he taught Science, Irish and Religion at the diocesan college, Saint Jarlath’s College in Tuam, along with coaching basketball and hurling. 

•             In 2006 Archbishop Michael Neary appointed him chaplain to Saint Jarlath’s College and diocesan secretary. During that time he also worked in the area of communications, vocations promotion and served as editor of the Tuam Diocesan Magazine, New Dawn. In recent years he joined the Communications Council of the Irish Episcopal Conference. 

•             Bishop-elect Monahan is a fluent Irish speaker and enjoys the outdoor life, hill walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and gardening.

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