Bishop-elect unveiled

A County Galway priest is to be appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Achonry, it was announced today.

Reverend Monsignor Brendan Kelly, Vicar General (VG), currently the Parish Priest of Spiddal, will succeed Most Rev Thomas Flynn.

The diocese comprises 23 parishes and covers part of the counties of Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

Born in Loughrea, Galway, in May 1946, he was educated at Maynooth where he was conferred with a Bachelor or Arts and Divinity and earned a Higher Diploma in Education from University College Galway.

Having served for a year as Curate in the Parish of Kinvara, Co Galway, he held a number of academic posts.

From 1972 to 1980 he taught in the diocesan post-primary college, Coláiste Einde, and from 1980 to 1986 in Our Lady’s College, Gort, of which he was President from 1986 to 1995.

In 1995/1996 he received sabbatical leave and served as Chaplain to the L’Arche community at Cuise-la-Motte in France.

In 1996 he was appointed Parish Priest of Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, and in June 2002 was created a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter and became Vicar Forane for the deanery of Kilfenora.

He was appointed Parish Priest in Spiddal in 2003.

In March last year Pope Benedict XVI conferred upon him the honour of Chaplain of His Holiness.

A date for the Episcopal Ordination has not yet been set and Bishop Flynn will continue as the Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese until the service takes place.