Pope Francis has appointed Father Michael Router as a new Auxiliary Bishop to the Archdiocese of Armagh.
Fr Router is currently the Parish Priest of Bailieboro, Co Cavan, in the nearby Diocese of Kilmore.
The 54-year-old is the first bishop to be appointed to assist Archbishop Eamon Martin since the resignation for health reasons of the late Bishop Gerard Clifford in 2013.
"My reaction was one of shock, surprise and no little dismay," he said after he was told of his appointment by the Papal Nuncio.
"I had been happily serving as parish priest in Bailieborough and reasonably expecting, that God willing, I would be there for several more years; perhaps even until retirement.
"I never saw myself as someone worthy of this office and, as I stand before you today, I am very conscious of my limitations and weaknesses.
"I am very grateful to Pope Francis for the trust he has placed in me and I pray that the Holy Spirit will provide what is otherwise lacking."
Archbishop Martin said: "I am thankful to Fr Michael for generously accepting this new call from God to leadership responsibility in the church.
"I am grateful to his parents and family and to Monsignor Liam Kelly and the Diocese of Kilmore for giving us such a talented and devoted pastor.
"Fr Michael has already gained considerable experience in leading pastoral development and adult faith formation and I look forward to his assisting me by contributing to these pastoral issues as well as others within both the Archdiocese of Armagh and the Diocese of Dromore."
