Archbishop Eamon’s Coat of Arms
Cardinal Brady’s Homily from the Episcopal Ordination Ceremony
Commentry by Rev Paul Clayton-Lea at the Episcopal Ordination Ceremony
The Apostolic Letter from Pope Benedict XVI
Photographs from the Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop Eamon Martin
Eamon Martin Ordained Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Good Shepherd Sunday
21 April 2013
The bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral rang out in joy today for the celebration for the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Eamon Martin as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh and successor of St Patrick. The chief-celebrant was Cardinal Seán Brady and the co-consecrators were Archbishop Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio and Bishop Gerard Clifford, Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus of Armagh.
34 archbishops and bishops concelebrated Mass along with over 300 priests. These included the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland; The Archbishop of Westminster, Archbishop Vincent Nichols; The Archbishop Emeritus of Glasgow, Archbishop Mario Conti; The Diocesan Administrator of Kildare and Leighin Diocese, Monsignor PJ Byrne; The President of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Monsignor Hugh Connelly; The Director of Formation of the Irish College, Rome, Rev Hugh Clifford; The Abbots of Mellifont Abbey, Dom Joseph, and Portnaglone Abbey, Dom Celsus; The Canons of the Metropolitan Chapter of Armagh Archdiocese; Classmates of Archbishop Eamon; Representatives of the priests of Armagh Archdiocese, (including the Vicar General, members of the Senate of Priests, College of Consulters, Vicars Forane), Administrator of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Armagh; Administrator of St Patrick’s Parish, Dundalk; Secretary to the HE The Papal Nuncio, Monsignor Serrano and Executive Secretary to the Irish Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Dullea. Over 100 priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh, 60 priests from the Derry Diocese, the Vicars General of the Suffragan Diocese and many Religious and visiting clergy also concelebrated the Episcopal Ordination Mass.
Seated in the front row at the celebration was Archbishop Eamon’s mother Catherine. His six sisters and five brothers, along with many of his relations and friends travelled from near and far to be part of the celebration.
There was a strong ecumenical presence at the Ordination Mass with the attendance of the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev Richard Clarke, Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton, Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Rev Ian D Henderson, Methodist Church in Ireland. Many local representatives of other Christian communities were also present.
Among the congregation were civic representatives including Col Brendan McAndrew, Aide de Camp, Uachtarán na hEireann, Mr Michael Tracey, Aide de Camp, Taoiseach, The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers, MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Martin McGuinness, MLA, Deputy First Minister, Sharon Haughey-Grimley, Lord Mayor of Armagh City and District Council, representatives of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Derry City Council, Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth County Council. Others in attendance included Mr John Hume; Baroness O’Loan; Mr David Cooney, Irish Ambassador to the Holy See; Mr David Ford; representatives from the world of sport; Mr Justin Kilcullen, CEO Trocaire.
During the Episcopal Ordination Mass, the 1st Reading was read by Joseph Martin, a brother of Archbishop Eamon. The Psalm was sung by Marie-Thérese Devins, a sister of Archbishop Eamon. The 2nd Reading was read in Irish by Monica Gribben, a native of the parish of Armagh. A Deacon, Rev Paul Murphy, who will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Armagh this coming June, proclaimed the Gospel. Also assisting at the altar was Rev Micheal McGavigan, a deacon for the Derry Diocese. Serving the Mass were students from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Irish College Rome and the Neo-Cathechumenal Way. Severs from St Patrick’s Cathedral also assisted at the altar. Archbishop Eamon’s Archbishop Eamon’s Episcopal Ring, Mitre and Crozier are brought forward by members of his family and his friends: Mitre: Nóirín Boucher; Crozier: Martin McDaid; Episcopal Ring: Rosemary McDaid. The gifts at the offertory were carried forward by Ludivine Martin (Niece and God-child of Archbishop Eamon); Christopher Duggan (Nephew and God-Child of Archbishop Eamon) Lara and Garry Trainor (A couple who were recently married in the Cathedral). The Choir was the St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir under the direction of Mr Colm Murphy and the organist was Mr Philip Elliott and the assistant-organist was Mr James Murphy.
Archbishop Eamon was one of the last Bishops to be appointed during the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI and one of the first to be ordained during the papacy of Pope Francis.
In attendance at the ceremony were 1300 guests. Every parish in the Archdiocese was represented. Also present were members from many of the apostolic groups, pastoral councils and diocesan commissions that make the Archdiocese of Armagh a vibrant well-spring of faith. During the ceremony, Archbishop Eamon greeted representatives of the laity, religious and clergy of the Archdiocese. These included Sharon Haughey-Grimley, Lord Mayor of Armagh; Finan McCoy, Chairman of Louth County Council; Sr Mairead Gorman MMM, Drogheda; Sr Kathleen Friel, SSCJ, Armagh; Br Ronan Lynch, OH, Drumcar; Pearse O’Hanrahan, Chairman, Diocesan Pastoral Council; Liz Maloney, Legion of Mary; Elaine O’Neill, Catechist; Lynette and Bosco McShane, Youth Ministry; Ignatius Donnelly, Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage; Stella Mallon, Pioneer Association; Orlagh Dynes, St Vincent de Paul; Benignus Ndubuisi, Candidate for the Permanent Diaconate; Fr Ryan McAleer, CC Dungannon; Fr Brian White, CC Haggardstown and Blackrock.
The Ordination Mass was streamed live on the diocesan website www.archdioceseofarmagh.com and on rte.ie.
To watch the Ordination Mass again, click here.
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