Bishops Express Gratitude to Nuncio on Retirement

On 11 July, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. Archbishop Montemayor was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland by the late Pope Francis RIP on 25 February 2023.

The Bishops of Ireland expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Archbishop Montemayor for his dedicated service, friendship and guidance to the people of Ireland throughout his tenure on the island.

Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference and said, “Since his appointment to Ireland by the late Pope Francis RIP, Archbishop Montemayor has been warmly welcomed by parishioners and clergy across the length and breadth of the island. His time as Nuncio has coincided with the Synodal Pathway consultations and assemblies and he has also engaged in listening and discussions in several dioceses around the island. His friendliness and good nature has been appreciated, and his approachability has been particularly welcomed by many. Archbishop Montemayor’s guidance and support to the Irish bishops regarding diocesan review and restructuring has been sensitive, collaborative and much appreciated.”

The Bishops of the Tuam Ecclesiastical Province — Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Killala; Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Achonry and of Elphin; and Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh, and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora — also offered their gratitude and said, “For some years now, the Bishops of the Tuam province have been working together to reconfigure our six Dioceses for a renewal of our mission. Since his arrival, Archbishop Montemayor has been very supportive of our efforts. With his help, we now have three new pastoral and administrative groupings, moving towards amalgamation into three new Dioceses.
“As well as engaging directly with us as Bishops, Archbishop Montemayor has visited all of our Dioceses, meeting with people and listening to them. Many who participated in those various gatherings commented on how pleasant and how personable the Apostolic Nuncio was, but also how open and direct he was about the mission entrusted to us all as Catholics in the 21st century.

“We join in thanking Archbishop Montemayor for the care that he has given to our local Churches, as well as for the support and encouragement he has given to each of us as Bishops. We wish him every blessing and good health in his retirement.”

Archbishop Martin concluded, “I wish to thank Archbishop Montemayor for this commitment and dedication during his tenure here in Ireland. I pray for many blessings and good health for Archbishop Montemayor’s retirement.”

(Source: The Way)