Bishop Alan McGuckian has said that being Bishop of Raphoe has been the greatest privilege of his life.
The clergyman issued a heartfelt message to the diocese today following his appointment as Bishop of Down and Connor.
Bishop McGuckian of Cloughmills will take up the role in Belfast in the coming weeks but will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in all the parishes as scheduled.
Bishop McGuckian served in Raphoe since his consecration as Ireland’s first Jesuit bishop in 2017.
Pope Francis has this year chosen to send Bishop Alan McGuckian home, to the diocese where he was baptized and received his first Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Bishop McGuckian said it will be a “terrible wrench” for him to leave the priests and people of Raphoe.
In a letter to the Diocese, he wrote: “It will be a great sorrow for me to leave so many wonderful friends here in Donegal. I have been overwhelmed during the past six years by the kindness and readiness of so many people to take me into their hearts. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to have been your bishop.
“As a priest I try to live my life under obedience to the Lord and when he calls on me to move again, even though I certainly did not expect or seek it, I go forward in trust.
“I have loved serving in this diocese because there is a bedrock of faith among you that is a great treasure. It has inspired and encouraged me. I hope and pray that your faith and trust in God working through you in your parish communities will grow ever deeper.
“I will be Apostolic Administrator of Raphoe for the next few weeks as I prepare to move on. After I take up office in Down and Connor, the College of Consultors will meet to choose a Diocesan Administrator to lead the diocese in the interim. I will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in all the parishes as scheduled until the end of February. After that, delegation will be given to the local pastors.
“You, the people of Raphoe have always been in my daily prayers since I first heard that I was to be your bishop six and a half years ago. Now, I ask that you pray for me as I go to take up the Church’s mission in pastures new.”
