MONSIGNOR BRENDAN KELLY - BISHOP ELECT

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has announced the appointment of Monsignor Brendan Kelly, VG and Parish Priest of Spiddal, Co. Galway as Bishop of Achonry Diocese.

Born at Derrybrien, Loughrea, Co. Galway, on 20th May 1946, he was baptized there on 26th May 1946. He is the son of the late Anne and Sean Kelly, NT, and the second in a family of nine children.

Following his early education at Craughwell National School, he attended St. Mary's College, Galway from 1959-1964. He began his studies for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1964 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Galway on 20th June 1971.

Speaking the day of the announcement of his appointment as Bishop of Achonry, Monsignor Kelly said he was happy to be in the diocese and, “even at this early stage”, felt welcomed by the people and priests he had met. He said he looked forward to working in the diocese and would concentrate his initial efforts on getting to know the priests with whom he will work and the people of the diocese. "My future is among them", he said. He believes much of his immediate future will involve listening and learning and commented that it is strange to be back in a learning situation again.

Surprised by his appointment, Monsignor Kelly said he is happy to accept it and has always tried in ministry to go where he is sent. "Change, though difficult can be relished and I welcome new beginnings. I feel I need a lot of help and support and have a strong sense that I will receive these here in Achonry".

He said that as a young man he wanted to become a priest to work with people rather than things and that remains his focus and intent. "I look forward to working with the priests and people of the diocese and ask them to pray for me and work with me. I have always sought to preach the Gospel and am convinced that the Lord works best with vessels of clay. I hope and pray I can live in response to this call. As a priest, I have prayed at Mass every day for the bishop and now understand a bit more perhaps, why!"

Monsignor Kelly will be ordained bishop of Achonry in the Cathedral of The Annunciation & St. Nathy, Ballaghaderreen on January 27th 2008. Cardinal Seán Brady will be the Chief-Consecrator, assisted by Archbishop Michael Neary and Bishop Thomas Flynn.

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