Pope Francis has name Fr. Raymond A. Browne, a parish priest in County Roscommon in Ireland, as bishop of the diocese of Kerry. Bishop-elect Browne succeeds Bishop William Murphy, whose resignation was accepted by the Holy Father.
During a press conference, Bishop-elect Browne thanked the Holy Father for the honor. “I am deeply honored that Pope Francis has chosen me to be your Bishop,” he said.
“It is with great humility I present myself to you today. I am conscious of the great diocese this is. I am conscious of the way the faith has been lived in all the parishes, church areas, religious houses and communities, schools, and all the faith communities throughout the diocese by this and previous generations.”
Bishop-elect Browne also expressed his admiration for Bishop Murphy and thanked him for his “years of wonderful, dedicated service to […] the diocese both as Bishop and priest.”I wish him every happiness and blessing in the years ahead,” he said.
Bishop Murphy congratulated his successor, saying that Bishop-elect Brown saying that his pastoral and administrative skills will serve the diocese well. “I believe his appointment will greatly benefit the Church in the diocese of Kerry and will also contribute significantly to the work of the Irish Episcopal Conference and its commissions and agencies,” Bishop Murphy said.
Responding to the announcement, Cardinal Seán Brady, President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Armagh welcomed the appointment, acknowledging Bishop-elect Browne’s years of service as a priest in the diocese of Elphin.
“I have known Father Browne for many years and I am quite confident that he will prove to be an excellent and gentle pastor, a faithful teacher of the faith and a trustworthy and generous leader. I wish him many blessings, Cardinal Brady said. “Father Browne will be well aware, I am sure, of the deep faith of the people of the diocese of Kerry and I have no doubt that he can count on their prayers and support as he takes on his new role as Bishop.”
