Mayoral reception at City Hall for Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll


Group shot of those attending City Hall in Kilkenny on the occasion of a Mayoral reception for the newly elected Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll

PHOTOS: Pat Shortall

“Please know that I am as surprised as you that I find myself standing before you this morning as the future bishop of Ossory. A telephone call from the apostolic nunciature on a recent Sunday evening asking me to come to Dublin for a meeting began a process that brings me here today to what is the beginning of a new life and ministry for me, and a new chapter for the Ossory diocese.. But here I am! Truly, I am feeling daunted by the prospect and know that it will only be by God’s grace and your welcome and ongoing support that I will be able to minister fruitfully here.”

Those were the words spoken by Bishop Coll at St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday October 28th. And the welcome he received in October was made all the sweeter when Mayor David Fitzgerald along with fellow councillors and officials joined at city hall for a mayoral reception to welcome the Bishop.

Mayor Fitzgerald said : “that like St Columcille, Bishop Niall has left his home in Donegal to travel a long distance to become a new member of our community in Kilkenny. On behalf of the people of Kilkenny, I welcomed him to the marble City and wish him many years of happiness and success in his new role of Bishop of Ossory.

Bishop Niall said he was delighted to meet so many friendly faces and thanked David Fitzgerald for his welcome.

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