Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Kevin Doran to minister simultaneously as Bishop of Achonry and Bishop of Elphin.
The news of the Episcopal appointment was announced this morning by Reverend Vincent Sherlock, Chancellor of the Diocese of Achonry at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Nathy in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.
Bishop Doran has been Apostolic Administrator of Achonry since April last year as a temporary care-taker appointment.
The two dioceses of Achonry and Elphin are joined "in persona episcopi", which means they are joined "in the person of the Bishop".
This follows on from the announcement made by the Papal Nuncio last year regarding a 'gradual process of reorganisation' in the Province of Tuam.
Through his ministry of teaching, administration and celebrating the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, the Bishop is called to be a sign and a servant of that new and deeper communion.
Each diocese still retains its unique identity, but gradually, while respecting the culture and the history and the unique gifts of each, the two dioceses will become one diocese.
Bishop Doran told the congregation that he gladly accepted his responsibility as Bishop of the two dioceses to work into that unity.
He expressed gratitude to the people of the Diocese of Achonry who have welcomed him and encouraged him in his ministry as Apostolic Administrator.
He said those who worked most closely with him in the Diocese of Elphin have also taken on additional responsibilities in recent months, to allow him the time and energy to be present in Achonry.
The Bishop has established an 'Implementation Group' to help identify the steps needed to bring the two dioceses together by respecting the unique culture of each but also to "sow the seeds of renewal" for a future as one diocese strong in faith and in mission.
Bishop Doran was born in Dublin in 1953 and ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin in July 1977.
During his 36 years as a Dublin priest, he served in six parishes around the diocese, as well as working in educational administration, university chaplaincy and in the accompaniment of candidates for ordained ministry.
He was Secretary General of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which was held in Dublin in 2012.
He was appointed Bishop of Elphin in April 2014 and ordained Bishop on 13 July 2014.
