The new bishop elect for Ardagh-Clonmacnoise believes young people are the future of the diocese and the church.
Fr Paul Connell, a native of Mullingar was announced as the new bishop of the diocese at 11 o'clock mass in St. Mel's Cathedral this morning.
Ordained in June 1982, Bishop-elect Connell spent many years of his ministry working with students. During his address to the congregation of St Mel's Cathedral this morning he emphasised the need to care and respect each other but also to love and respect the world around us. A message he believes will resonate with young people. The former president of St. Finian's college in Mullingar says young people are the future of the church - the church needs the commitment of youth to keep it moving to the next millennium.
Fr. Tom Healy took over the day to day duties of the diocese 15 months when former bishop Francis Duffy was installed as the Archbishop of Tuam.
Speaking to Shannonside Bishop-elect Connell says it important that the faith is preserved.
"My objective at the moment is to get to know the people here and to get to know the parish communities and especially to get to know the priests and move the parish forward, preserve the faith, and pass it on to the next generation. They are the future of the church and as Pope Francis says, they're anxious to protect our common home, they're the future of the planet too, but the church in Ireland needs young people and needs their commitment and their faith".
Listen to the full piece below.
