Pope Francis confirms 'historic' changes to Connacht Catholic dioceses

Pope Francis has announced a number of significant changes to the Catholic dioceses in Connacht.

The changes include all three dioceses in Mayo. This will "effectively mean" the integration of Killala Diocese with Tuam Archdiocese and Achonry Diocese with Elphin, the Western People reports.

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Paul Dempsey, up until now Bishop of Achonry, as Titular Bishop of Sita and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin. He also made the following appointments, from today, in the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Tuam:

• Archbishop Francis Duffy, Metropolitan Archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Tuam, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Killala;
• Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Achonry.
• Furthermore, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop John Fleming, Bishop of Killala, on the grounds of age.

The Vatican made the announcement at 12pm (11am Irish time).