YOUCAT confirmation book

The preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is one of the greatest needs and “construction” of the Catholic Church. It can not be that young people receive a sacrament and say goodbye to faith at the same time. Often the young people at the confirmation not even have a vague idea of faith, God, Jesus, Church and Holy Spirit. The two-part YOUCAT Confirmation Course is a brave attempt to speak of the matter again: Young, lively, creative, and with surprising pictures and comparisons.

For more information and purchasing information have a look at the CTS website

There is a student and leader book that helps to guide teachers and adult faith formation teams to deliver the course easily.

Have a look inside the book using this link

“YouCat combines sound catechesis and faith formation with a youthful, dynamic, appealing presentation. I hope that this book and the related resources will assist you in promoting the New Evangelization and a deepened catechesis among young people.”

(Archbishop José Gómez of Los Angeles)

Photos from the Mass

ADYC Retreat training session for leaders

On Friday 3rd October ADYC hosted a valuable event for new and existing leaders to develop the Diocesan school retreat team.

Dermot Kelly our Diocesan Youth Director mentioned that, ‘There are many opportunities that ADYC have provided and with the support of our leaders we can develop youth ministry, more and more.’ At this training evening the young people meet Bosco McShane, Retreat Coordinator and other members of the retreat team who demonstrated techniques and skills to equip the young people as a retreat helper for ADYC in the near future.

The evening was a fun and faith filled event. It consisted of learning a typical overview of retreats, learning communication and catechesis techniques. The highlight of the evening was setting a challenge to devise three new retreat catechesis themes, which were; Friendship, The Ten Commandments and Our Lady.

Mass to ask God’s Blessing on Archbishop Eamon and on the Archdiocese of Armagh

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Tuesday, 7 October 2014

Homily given by Archbishop Eamon

Click here to see some photos from the Celebration

On Friday last Pope Francis described a parish or a diocese as a ‘family of families’. What a beautiful image! I can think of no better description for our gathering this evening – a ‘family of families’. Thank you for being here and for your prayers and support.

I welcome my mother and members of my immediate and extended family and my close friends who have been so good to me down the years. I am here at the Cathedral Chair surrounded by my new family – the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese and some of my brother bishops. We are ‘family’ in a special way through the sacrament of Holy Orders, and I look forward to working closely with you, and of course with my sisters and brothers in consecrated life who live in the Archdiocese of Armagh.

As Parish Priest I greet the Cathedral parish family, including Tullysaran, Knockaconey and St Malachy’s, and of course the families of the mensal parishes in Dundalk. And I welcome members of other parish families from all over the diocese: from Louth, Derry, Tyrone and Armagh. I know that from time to time we can be fierce rivals on the football field! Still, we are united as members of this great Archdiocese under the patronage of Patrick, Malachy, Brigid, Oliver Plunkett.

And there are many other ‘families’ represented here from various schools, groups and associations. Yes, Pope Francis, puts it well – we are a ‘family of families’, the People of God in the Archdiocese of Armagh.

But what does it mean to think of our parish or diocese as a family of families? Firstly; it means that, like any family, we have a special bond that links us – across 4 counties, 61 parishes, 24 religious congregations and nearly 200 Catholic schools – a bond that inspires loyalty and encourages us to look out for one another. That bond is our unity within God’s family as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ – If one member of the family is celebrating – we share their joy; if someone is hurting, we reach out to their sorrow.

Continue

Building a culture of life – homily for ‘Day for Life’ Sunday by Archbishop Eamon Martin

Pope Francis imparts his Apostolic Blessing on ‘Day for Life’ celebrations in Ireland
The Catholic Church will continue to call for a society without abortion which loves and cares for all life equally
The world needs to hear loud and clear the Gospel message about a culture of life – the horrific public assassination of Alan Henning, the British aid worker, is yet another grim reminder of the culture of death
On commenting on the debate in England about assisted dying, Archbishop Richard Clarke courageously pointed out the fundamental Christian tenet that our life on earth is not our property to do with as we choose

This week I was kindly given a copy of the inspiring book Donal’s Mountain by Fionnbar Walsh. It tells the moving story of his son Donal, an extraordinary young man from Kerry who taught us how to value every second of life. Donal was only sixteen years-old and was suffering from terminal cancer, but his powerful personal testimony on television and other media encouraged us never to take life for granted. Donal told us he had “wanted to live, to play for Munster, to travel the whole world, to raise children and die when I’m 100”, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Still, instead of reacting with anger and despair at the news of his cancer, Donal embraced life to promote his anti-suicide message. Using the #LiveLife Twitter handle, he urged his fellow teenagers to “appreciate what you have, know that there are always other options and help is always there”. His #LiveLife message has touched many hearts and changed lives.

In his message to Ireland for our Day for Life celebration today, Pope Francis said he hopes that this “Day” will inspire all of us, and especially young people (like Donal Walsh), to combat the “culture of death” that surrounds us. The world needs to hear loud and clear the Gospel message about a culture of life – the horrific public assassination of Alan Henning, the British aid worker, is yet another grim reminder of the culture of death. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).” Every one of us can play our part in helping to build a world which cherishes the sacredness of all human life.

Our annual Day for Life challenges all of us to examine our own attitudes and behaviour, and to ask: “what am I, personally, doing to build a culture of life?” The responsibility to build a culture of life belongs to every human being, believer and non-believer alike, and to every Church and community leader and public representative. As people of faith we might all honestly ask ourselves today: am I a “protector” of life? Do I fully cherish my own life and the lives of others? In my driving, eating and drinking habits, in the way I speak and witness about life, in the way I look after my health, am I valuing life as a gift from God?

Pope Francis tells us that being a “protector” of life means “protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world … It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.” The Holy Father speaks of “protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.” He emphasises the importance of the family: “husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents.”

It is alarming that in many ways life itself has become subject to what Pope Francis calls our “throwaway culture.” At times human life is treated like just another commodity which is dispensable, as if it had a “use by” or “best before” date. Increasingly there are situations, such as at the very beginning of life or near the end of life, where the value of one life is weighed up against the value of another, or the lives of some are treated as useless and disposable.

An example from the beginning of life can be found in the publication last month in the Government of Ireland’s guidelines to accompany its recent abortion legislation. These guidelines have confirmed that, despite all the medical evidence to the contrary, abortion can now be “prescribed” as an “answer” to a mother’s suicidal feelings, and a tiny unborn child on the cusp of viability can be delivered extremely prematurely only to fight for her or his life and long-term health. This legislation was unnecessary and is medically flawed. A mother in crisis or mental turmoil needs every possible support and the very best of care, as does her unborn child. The Church will continue to call for a society without abortion which loves and cares for all life equally and does everything possible to protect the life of both a mother and her unborn child, even in the most delicate and traumatic circumstances.

With regard to life at the very end of our days, we must always remember that poor health or disability does not take away the intrinsic value of a human person. We must therefore beware of the “misguided mercy” of euthanasia whereby a right to die could easily give way to a duty to die. For this reason I was heartened to read the remarks in August of my new neighbour and friend, Archbishop Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh. Archbishop Clarke was commenting on the debate in England about assisted dying and he courageously pointed out the fundamental Christian tenet that our life on earth is not our property to do with as we choose. Like Pope Francis, Archbishop Clarke reminded us that life is not a commodity which is disposable entirely at the will of the individual “possessor”.

During the past Week for Life in the Archdiocese of Armagh we have been reflecting on the sacredness of all human life and praying that life will be protected and cherished in every circumstance. I encourage you to continue to keep this intention prominent in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to help proclaim and build a culture of life in the world. Amen.

ENDS

Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. This homily was preached at 11:00am Mass today in Saint Patrick’s, Cathedral, Armagh, to celebrate ‘Day of Life Sunday’.

‘Day for Life Sunday’ (see www.dayforlife.org and www.chooselife2014.ie) is celebrated annually by the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition. Day for Life is celebrated in Ireland today, Sunday 5 October, and the theme of the 2014 pastoral message is: Protect and Cherish Life #Livelife. See the special web feature on www.catholicbishops.ie including a video interview with Bishop Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick, as well as the Day for Life 2014 prayer (see below) and texts of the pastoral message in the English, Irish and Polish languages. On behalf of the Holy Father Pope Francis, the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has published a special message to support of our ‘Day for Life’ this year:

Message from Pope Francis for Day for Life 2014

“As the Church in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales celebrates the 2014 ‘Day for Life’, the Holy Father expresses his confidence that this annual witness to the sanctity of God’s gift of life will inspire the faithful, and young Catholics in particular, to combat the culture of death, not only by working to ensure adequate legal protection for the fundamental human right to life, but also by seeking to bring the merciful love of Christ as a life-giving balm to those troubling ‘new forms of poverty and vulnerability’ (cf. Evangelii Gaudium 210) which are increasingly evident in contemporary society. To all involved in the ‘Day for Life’ celebrations, His Holiness imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, joy and peace in the Risen Lord.”

The Day for Life Prayer

Holy Mary, Mother of Love,
holding in your arms, the fruit of your womb,
graciously look upon our earth and remove from it
all that hardens our hearts and dims our eyes
to the preciousness of human life,
from the moment of conception to natural death.

Through the example of your tenderness
teach us the ways of compassion and love
that we may build up the civilisation of love among us
and a society that is truly worthy of the human person.

Help us to reject all that contributes to a culture of death,
and to work with others of goodwill
in promoting the culture of life.

Bring us ever closer to your Son,
so that we may know the fullness of life that he offers us
and come to know that life more perfectly,
with you, and all the angels and saints,
in the eternal life of Heaven.

AMEN

World Missions Ireland

We have a job to do this October as we celebrate Mission Month. There are approximately 1,500 Irish born missionaries working in more than 80 countries.

They continue to spread the Gospel through their work, their deep commitment to the people they serve and their Faith. In essence, they lead by example and have helped to change, for the better, millions of lives all over the globe.

It is fitting then that the theme for this years’ Mission Month of October is ‘That they may have life’…life in all its richness and dignity. The richness of knowing the Gospel and Jesus Christ and the dignity of having food to eat, a roof to sleep under and work to go to.

Through their work, our missionaries strive to make all this a reality for the people they serve.

‘The Society for the Propagation of the Faith’ organises the Mission Sunday collection in all Churches nationwide, which this year takes place on the 19^th October.

We are invited to reflect on our call to bring Christ to others, while remembering to pray and to assist the young churches that they may have the spiritual and financial resources to grow and in turn announce the Good News.

For further information on the world of the Propagation of the Faith or to make a donation please visit www.wmi.ie.

A Week for Life in The Archdiocese of Armagh from September 28th to October 5

Day for Life is the day in the Church’s year dedicated to celebrating and upholding the dignity of human life. The Church teaches that life should be protected and nurtured from conception to natural death. This year’s Day for Life in falls on Sunday 5th October 2014.

The theme for this year is “Protect and Cherish Life #livelife”.

The Archdiocese of Armagh is organising a Week for Life from September 28th to October 5th. All over the Archdiocese, parishes are engaging in many different initiatives to help celebrate the gift of life. Armagh Diocese poster

Day for Life Pastoral Message: Protect and Cherish Life #livelife

Pope Francis knows and loves young people. At World Youth Day in Rio last year, to over three million young people, the Pope said, “young hearts want to build a better world.” He invited them to be “protagonists of transformation” and urged them not to be mere “observers of life, but to get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.”

We all know heroic young people who are getting involved in the messiness of life – helping the young; the weak, the elderly, the vulnerable – and putting the needs of others above their own. In this year’s Message for Day for Life the Bishops of Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales would like to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis and invite everyone to get involved in caring for, nurturing and protecting life at every stage and in every condition. To young people especially we want to say “#Livelife!” from its beginning to its natural end.

In a ‘throwaway’ culture, it is easy for life to be undervalued. Last year, Donal Walsh, an extraordinary 16-year-old from Kerry in Ireland, suffering from terminal cancer, taught us how to value every second of life and to show gratitude for all that we can so easily take for granted. Donal had “wanted to live, to play for Munster, to travel the whole world to raise children and die when I’m 100” and instead of reacting with anger and despair at the news of his cancer, he embraced life to promote his anti-suicide #Livelife message. He wrote and spoke widely in the media about young people and suicide – urging teenagers to “appreciate what you have, know that there are always other options and help is always there”. His #Livelife message has touched many hearts and changed lives.

Every one of us, young and old alike can play our part in the promotion of life. Our every thought, word or action can promote or extinguish life – we all have a valuable contribution to make.

Pope Francis tells us that being a protector of life is about, “protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world… It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.” The pope speaks of “protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.” He emphasises the importance of the family, “husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents.” And of caring for society by “building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it.”

Let’s all be builders of a better world and protect life.

Day for Life 2014 pastoral message PDF

Day for Life 2014 pastoral message Irish

Day for Life 2014 Polish version

Day for Life Prayer

Holy Mary, Mother of Love,
holding in your arms, the fruit of your womb,
graciously look upon our earth and remove from it
all that hardens our hearts and dims our eyes
to the preciousness of human life,
from the moment of conception to natural death.

Through the example of your tenderness
teach us the ways of compassion and love
that we may build up the civilisation of love among us
and a society that is truly worthy of the human person.

Help us to reject all that contributes to a culture of death,
and to work with others of goodwill
in promoting the culture of life.

Bring us ever closer to your Son,
so that we may know the fullness of life that he offers us
and come to know that life more perfectly,
with you, and all the angels and saints,
in the eternal life of Heaven.

AMEN

Rome Conference on the New Evangelisation

Last weekend the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation held a three day conference in Rome on Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Evangelium Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel).

Over 2000 delegates from all over the world attended including cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, religious and over 1,000 laity.

Armagh was represented by Dr Tony Hanna, Director of the Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry, and he had the privilege of being one of the chosen delegates to greet Pope Francis personally.

Our own Archbishop Eamon Martin was spoken of very highly by one of the keynote presenters, Dr Raphael Monthienvichienhal from Thailand who addressed the issue of social media in the new evangelization. Dr Rapahel cited Archbishop Eamon’s use of Facebook to advertise his installation as coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh as a wonderful template for others to follow.

Mass to ask God’s blessing on Archbishop Eamon and on the Archdiocese of Armagh.

Archbishop Eamon is inviting you to attend a Mass to ask God’s blessing and the protection of Mary at this important milestone for him and for the Archdiocese. The Mass will take place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 7 October, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, and everyone is welcome. Following Mass light refreshments will be served in St Patrick’s Grammar School.

Message from His Grace Archbishop Eamon Martin,

Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

Dear people of the Archdiocese of Armagh,

I would like to offer Mass to ask God’s blessing and the protection of Mary at this important milestone for me and for the Archdiocese. The Mass will take place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 7 October, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, and everyone is welcome. Following Mass light refreshments will be served in St Patrick’s Grammar School.

It is an honour for me to assume the role of ‘Shepherd’ in the Archdiocese of Armagh. I look forward to serving you, the people of the sixty-one parishes in the counties of Armagh, Derry, Louth and Tyrone. I feel humbled to be following in the footsteps of St Patrick, and like him, I pray for ‘God’s strength to pilot me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s shield to protect me’.

I am very grateful for the warmth of the support, welcome and prayers, that I have received every day since I came to Armagh, sixteen months ago.

I wish to thank Cardinal Seán for the many years of service which he has given to the Church in Armagh and beyond. On behalf of the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Armagh, I want to thank him sincerely for serving us with love and dedication. We appreciate all that he has done for us and we assure him of our continued affection and prayers. We wish him every blessing for a healthy and peaceful retirement. On a personal note I want to thank Cardinal Seán for the kindness he has shown to me since I came to Armagh last year. I know that I can count on his prayers and support in the years to come.

I was ordained a bishop just a month after the election of Pope Francis. I chose as my episcopal motto: ‘Sing a New Song to the Lord’, because I think we are all being challenged nowadays to find fresh ways of bringing the Gospel into the world. Over the past sixteen months I have been encouraged and inspired by the enthusiasm of our young people and the dedication of our teachers, the commitment and pastoral care given by our priests and religious, and the willingness of so many people to become actively involved in the life of their parishes and diocese.

No doubt many challenges lie ahead of me, but I look forward with trust and hope in God to sharing with others the ‘Joy of the Gospel’.

Again I thank you for your prayers and support and ask you please to continue to pray for me.

Yours sincerely in Jesus Christ,

Eamon Martin

Archbishop of Armagh

Pope Francis accepts Cardinal Brady’s resignation and Archbishop Eamon Martin becomes Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

Today, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father Pope Francis accepts the resignation of His Eminence Cardinal Seán Brady as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. From 11:00am today (12 noon Rome time) the Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, His Grace Archbishop Eamon Martin (52), becomes the 116^th Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in succession to Saint Patrick.

Media are invited to meet Archbishop Eamon Martin for interview this morning outside Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, from 11:00am.

Please see below remarks delivered after Mass today in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral by Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin.

Remarks by Cardinal Seán Brady

I am pleased that Pope Francis has today accepted the resignation which I offered to him on the occasion of my seventy fifth birthday. I warmly congratulate Archbishop Eamon Martin who today becomes Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and Coarb Phadraic. Let us rejoice and be glad.

I pray that God may give to Archbishop Eamon in abundance all the graces he needs and I assure him of my help and total support at all times. Indeed I am quite confident that the people of the Archdiocese – priests, religious and lay faithful – will give to their new Archbishop the same whole-hearted support and faith-filled loyalty which they have always given to me and for which I will be eternally grateful.

Above all I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Armagh for their welcome, friendship and so much kindness over many years. It has been a great joy and privilege for me to serve as their Bishop and also to travel and meet people from all over Ireland in my role as Primate. I am very grateful to the leaders and members of the other Churches in the archdiocese and throughout Ireland and to all who have assisted me in any way to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. The people of this Cathedral City of Armagh have been so good to me and will, of course, always remain close to my heart. I thank the City Council and send greetings today to all of you who live and work in this historic city.

When I became a Bishop, I chose as a motto: ‘To know Jesus Christ’. The diocese has adopted as its aim: ‘To become the Body of Christ so as to bring the compassionate love of Christ to all’. I hope to live near Armagh and to continue pursuing these aims by helping out pastorally wherever I can and whenever I am needed. I am looking forward to retirement and, no doubt, it will take me some time to get used to it, but it will be good to have more time for family, friends and to follow the football!

Today I give thanks for many things. I thank God for all the graces and favours of so many happy years as a priest and as a Bishop. On this feast of her birthday, I give thanks to Our Lady for her loving protection down the years and the great happiness of going so often to her Shrines, especially Knock and Lourdes.

I thank the Bishops and staff of the Irish Bishops Conference, especially Bishop Gerard Clifford who was my auxiliary for many years. They have been a great support to me as President of the Bishops’ Conference. I thank my family, staff and friends for their patience and understanding.

It has been my privilege to have been appointed a Bishop by Pope St John Paul II, to have worked closely with Pope Benedict XVI, and to have taken part in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis – that conclave has been the highlight of my life!

Pope Francis’ motto: “Miserando atque eligendo“, challenges and inspires me with its message of God having mercy and at the same time choosing us, despite our sinfulness. It reminds me that I too need to say sorry and to ask forgiveness. And I do so again, now. At the same time, Pope Francis’ motto inspires me to trust in the mercy of God and to pray for the strength to do always as Jesus would have me do.

The people of the Archdiocese of Armagh and the people of Ireland will remain in my prayers for the rest of my life. I ask the favour of your prayers to help me continue to serve God as best I can all the days God gives me. God bless you always.

Remarks by Archbishop Eamon Martin

My brothers and sisters, there is a line in the letter to the Hebrews: ‘Every day, as long as this today lasts, keep encouraging one another (Heb3:13). Much of my life as a priest has been about encouraging people with the Good News of Jesus Christ, offering them ‘fresh heart’, even in the most troubled moments of life. But equally I have discovered that, as well as giving encouragement, I too need to receive encouragement. I am blessed with a wonderful family and very special friends who never stop encouraging me. I am very grateful also for the warmth of your support, welcome and prayers, not just today, but every day since I came to Armagh, sixteen months ago.
Thank you Cardinal Sean for your encouraging words, your good wishes and the assurance of your prayers. This is not just my day. It is a day for us to recognise the years of service which you have given to the Church in Armagh and beyond. On behalf of the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Armagh, I want to thank you sincerely for serving us with love and dedication. We appreciate all that you have done for us and we assure you of our continued affection and prayers. We wish you every blessing for a healthy and peaceful retirement.

During my years as Executive Secretary to the Irish Bishops’ Conference I saw at first hand the mammoth amount of work undertaken by Cardinal Brady as President of the Episcopal Conference and his tireless commitment to representing the Catholic Church in Ireland at countless national and international engagements. At the same time he always presents as a gentle and humble man who is never fully comfortable in the limelight. I want to thank Cardinal Sean personally for the kindness he has shown me since I came to Armagh last year, and for allowing me every opportunity to get to know the diocese. I know that I can count on his prayers and support in the years to come.

I genuinely feel honoured to assume the role of ‘Shepherd’ in the Archdiocese of Armagh. I look forward to serving the people of sixty-one parishes in the counties of Armagh, Derry, Louth and Tyrone. I feel humbled to be following in the footsteps of St Patrick, and like him, I pray for ‘God’s strength to pilot me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s shield to protect me’. Over the past sixteen months I have been encouraged and inspired by the enthusiasm of our young people and the dedication of our teachers, the commitment and pastoral care given by our priests and religious, and the willingness of so many people to become actively involved in the life of their parishes and diocese.

I was ordained a bishop just a month after the election of Pope Francis. I chose my episcopal motto to be: ‘Sing a New Song to the Lord’, because I think we are all being challenged nowadays to find fresh ways of bringing the Gospel into the world. Pope Francis inspires us to write that new song in a ‘missionary key’, and reach out to everyone in society with the love and friendship of Jesus. People have been asking me to put ‘fresh heart’ into the renewal of the Church in this country. But I am only one person with all my inadequacies and sinfulness. The task of bringing the encouragement of faith to the world belongs to all of us – people, priests, religious sisters and brothers, bishops – working together in communion with Christ and with one another. I am certain that a humble renewal in the Church in Ireland will only come about as our lay people exercise their specific vocation and mission to hand on the faith and to insert the Gospel into the reality of their daily lives and work.

I pray that my heart can be more like the Heart of Jesus, burning with love for everyone. Not far from all of us today are people who feel isolated or lonely; people whose hearts are heavy with worry, illness or anxiety; perhaps someone whose heart is broken by grief or loss; a man or woman whose heart has grown colder because of some cruelty or emptiness in their lives – past or present. Every day, then, as long as this today lasts, let us keep encouraging one another with the love and compassion of Christ.

On this, my first morning as Archbishop of Armagh, I greet the leaders and members of the other Christian Churches and traditions; I hope that, as Cardinal Sean did before me, I can share their friendship and their passion for the Gospel of Christ. I also send my good wishes to people of other faiths and traditions, and to civic and political leaders throughout the diocese, assuring them of my respect and cooperation with them in serving the common good.

No doubt many challenges lie ahead of me, but I look forward with trust and hope in God to sharing with others the ‘Joy of the Gospel’. Please pray for me. I invite you to join me as I offer Mass in a few weeks’ time to ask God’s blessing and the protection of Mary at this important milestone for me and for the Archdiocese. The Mass will take place in the Cathedral at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 7th October, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, and everyone is welcome.

A phobal Dé, gabhaimis buiochas do Dhia ar son an chreidimh a thug Pádraig chugainn agus iarraimis grásta bheith dílis don chreideamh sin go bás.

Mo mhíle buiochas libhse go leir.

ENDS

Archbishop Eamon Martin becomes Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland today in succession to Cardinal Archbishop Seán Brady, who is retiring after serving as bishop of the diocese since 1996.
For the last 16 months, Archbishop Eamon has been the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese, with the right of succession. On 1 October 1996, the then Coadjutor Archbishop Seán Brady succeeded Cardinal Cahal Daly in the See of Saint Patrick. In March 2010, Cardinal Brady asked Pope Benedict XVI to appoint a Coadjutor to assist him and, on 18 January 2013, Monsignor Eamon Martin from the Diocese of Derry was nominated to this role. His ordination as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh took place on 21 April 2013, in the presence of people, religious, priests, bishops and civic representatives from all over Ireland. Last month, on the occasion of his 75^th birthday, Cardinal Brady submitted his resignation letter to Pope Francis. Today his resignation has been accepted and Archbishop Eamon Martin immediately succeeds him as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

Please see below the life and ministry of Archbishop Eamon Martin who is currently Chairman of the Commission for Planning, Communications and Resources, Member of the Council for Communications, Member of the Council for Governance, Member of the Joint Bioethics Committee, Member of the Coimirce Liaison Committee with NBSCCC.

Eamon Martin was born on 30 October 1961 in Pennyburn, Derry. His mother Catherine Crossan lives in Derry and his father John James Martin is deceased (RIP June 2006). He comes from a family of twelve children – six boys and six girls.

Eamon Martin was ordained a priest in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, by Bishop Edward Daly, Bishop Emeritus of Derry, on 28 June 1987. In September of that year Archbishop Martin was appointed Assistant Priest, Parish of Templemore, Derry. He was appointed to the teaching staff of Saint Columb’s College, Derry in September 1990 to teach Mathematics and Religion and became Head of Religious Education in the College in September 1997. Archbishop Martin was appointed President of Saint Columb’s College in May 2000.

In June 2008 Mgr Martin was appointed Executive Secretary to the Irish Episcopal Conference in Maynooth, Co Kildare. Two years later in June 2010 he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Derry by Bishop Séamus Hegarty, Bishop Emeritus of Derry. On 18 November 2010 Archbishop Martin was appointed Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and he was elected Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Derry on 25 November 2011.

Since ordination in 1987 Archbishop Martin has held the following responsibilities in the Diocese of Derry: Assistant Priest, Saint Eugene’s Cathedral; Chaplain and member of the Board of Governors, Rosemount Primary School; member of the Board of Governors, Saint Anne’s Primary School; Executive Secretary, Feis Dhoire Colmcille (civic festival); Diocesan Advisor in Sacred Music; Director of Sacred Music, Saint Eugene’s Cathedral; trainer/conductor of Saint Eugene’s Cathedral Mixed Vocie Choir and Saint Eugene’s Cathedral Boys Choir; member of the Council of Priests; member of the College of Consultors; Vicar General; and Diocesan Administrator.

Between 2008 and 2010 he held the post of Executive Secretary of the Irish Episcopal Conference. He was also a member of the Council for Governance of the Episcopal Conference; member of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE). In November 2011 he was appointed Diocesan Administrator of Derry Diocese. He was subsequently appointed as a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Joint Bioethics Committee (of the three Bishops’ Conferences of Ireland, Scotland and England & Wales); a Director of Saint Luke’s Manchester on behalf of the Irish Episcopal Conference; a Director of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Archbishop Martin attained a BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Science from NUI Maynooth; BD (Hons) Theology from the Pontifical University, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth; PGCE from Queen’s University, Belfast; National Professional Qualification for Headship from the Institute of Education, London; and an M Phil Degree of Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge.

Archbishop Martin has been a regular media contributor on BBC’s Thought for the Day; Prayer for the Day and celebrant and preacher on Sunday Morning Worship, and other programmes on RTÉ, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service.

Archbishop Martin has a keen interest in music, particularly in choral and classical music as well as liturgical music generally. He has a particular interest in Sacred Music, especially Gregorian Chant. He is also enjoys walking and gardening.

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