Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Donal McKeown of the Diocese of Derry, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
An Apostolic Administrator is appointed to temporarily govern a diocese pending the appointment of a Diocesan Bishop.
Bishop McKeown has already served the Diocese of Down and Connor as a priest (1977-2001) and as Auxiliary Bishop (2001-2014).
In November, Pope Francis appointed the outgoing Bishop Noel Treanor as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union.
In a statement, Archbishop Traynor wished Bishop McKeown well in the role, entrusting him to "the warmth and care of those whom I have had the privilege to know and serve over the last 14 years".
Bishop Donal McKeown was ordained in 1977 and was appointed Bishop of Derry in 2014.
