'May your heart be like the mountains in the homes of Donegal' - Letterkenny man ordained Bishop of Ossory

The new Bishop of Ossory has been ordained at a ceremony in a cathedral in Kilkenny. 

The mass to ordain Father Niall Coll began at 3pm in the Cathedral of Saint Mary, with Father Kieran O’Shea of the Diocese of Ossory preaching the homily. 

Pope Francis appointed Father Coll - born in Letterkenny, Co Donegal in 1963 - as the new Bishop in October 2022. 

The new Bishop-elect is a former teacher at St Eunan's College in Letterkenny, Co Donegal and lecturer at St Patrick's College in Carlow. 

He was also a Curate at the Parish of Dungloe, Co Donegal, Professor of Religious Studies and Religious Education at St Mary's University College in Belfast, and parish priest at both Drumholm-Ballintra and Tawnawilly and Clar. 

Father O'Shea spoke at the ceremony and said, "Today’s happy occasion brings to mind a childhood memory of my late mother playing the accordion and singing that popular ballad The Homes of Donegal - it was, as we might say, her party piece! Coincidentally, the lyrics of that song were composed in 1955 by a certain Seán Mac Giolla Bhríde (Seán McBride) from The Rosses who was the principal of Saint Baithin’s National School in a place called Saint Johnston in East Donegal and who had the privilege of teaching the father and son here before us today, Bishop-elect Niall and his Dad.

"Unlike my mother, unfortunately, I have not been blessed with charisms of a musical kind, so I have no intention of singing the said ballad.  Let us leave that for a different setting or occasion and to those competent in matters of song!

"Anyhow, from one of those homes of Donegal, the Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent us a new Bishop in succession to Archbishop Dermot and, of course, to relieve Bishop Denis of his extraterritorial responsibilities which he has carried out with extraordinary dedication and relentless energy during the past two years.

"It is with great gratitude that we return him to the people of Kildare and Leighlin - hopefully intact - and it is with immense joy that we greet Bishop-elect Niall, along with his parents, Kathleen and Willie, his sisters, brother, extended family members, Bishop McGuckian and priests of the Diocese of Raphoe, and many friends from near and far - you are all heartily welcome." 

Father O'Shea went on to say he hoped Bishop Coll would "remain with us indefinitely". 

He concluded his homily with words spoken by fellow countyman and Christ follower, Colmcille. 

He said, "May they say of you as they said of him: ‘During his life….. he could not let even one hour pass that was not given to prayer or reading or writing or some other good work.  Night and day he so unwearyingly gave himself to fasts and vigils that the burden of each single work seemed beyond the strength of man. Yet through all, he was loving to everyone, his holy face was always cheerful, and in his inmost heart he was happy with the joy of the Holy Spirit’.  

"Niall, as you begin your service as Bishop of Ossory, may your heart be like the mountains in the homes of Donegal!" 

The new Bishop Coll spoke following Father O'Shea's comments and said, "Let me begin by thanking all present, most particularly my mother and father, my brother, sisters, brother-in-law and wider family of aunts, uncles, cousins. Also my friends, seminary classmates and contemporaries, former colleagues especially from my Belfast days, and priests and people from Raphoe diocese and everywhere, especially parishioners from Tawnawilly and Drumholm parishes.

"A particular warm welcome to  the new Church of Ireland bishop here, Adrian Wilkinson. Similarly, a warm welcome to the representatives of the other Christian traditions and other faiths here present … So many have travelled a great distance to be here. Thank you.

"I would like to thank so many of the people of the diocese for the warm welcome they have extended to me already, the 96th bishop of Ossory and the first Ulsterman - a diocesan historian has reliably informed me - to serve in that office. Thankfully, that great Ulsterman, Saint Canice, from Limavady, Co Derry, not far from my native heath in Donegal, never the bishop here however, indisputably blazed a trail in the diocese.

"The lasting legacy of a cathedral, many churches and schools under his patronage demonstrate that fact.  My northern footprint here will be smaller, but I come too, whatever my own limitations and with so much to learn, with a great heart for the people and terrain of Ossory!

"I would like to welcome Archbishop Dermot Farrell back to Ossory and to thank him for being principal consecrator today.  Thanks too to the two co-consecrators, my Maynooth classmate, Bishop Denis Nulty and the Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian. A word of gratitude to all the other bishops present. 

"Thanks to all who made this act of worship today so magnificent: the Ordination Organising Committee and the Diocesan Office staff who worked so hard behind the scenes. Thanks too to the musicians and singers, the sacristans and altar servers, the young people here present from local primary and secondary schools, the stewards and greeters, those who designed today’s Mass booklet, and the many others who assist in the Cathedral.

"A special word of thanks is due to Sister Helen Maher Forum Coordinator and Ms Gemma Mulligan our Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, for the wonderful occasion of prayer as we gathered here on Friday evening and to our homilist today, Father Kieran O’Shea, the Cathedral Administrator, Fr Richard Scriven and today's Master of Ceremonies, Fr Roderick Whearty." 

He continued, "I look forward to working with the priests, people and religious of the Diocese of Ossory to enhance the work already underway here to develop a sustaining theological and pastoral vision, one able to invite, inform and enthuse a new generation of Christian witnesses.

"Truth be told, committed Irish Catholics already know full well that we need to build up from the ground a new way of being Church, one which will seek to blend the old faith and, where possible, the new ground of contemporary Irish society in a new organic synthesis. That is the work of the process of Synodality, of journeying together as disciples, so precious to the heart of Pope Francis, and I would like to commend the discussions, reflections and actions which are already underway in Ossory as part of the beginnings of this process of renewal in the life of the diocese.

"As we look to the future, we know that we will face many challenges together. We find courage for the work that lies ahead because Christ Jesus is truly the way, the truth and the life. He is our hope. Amen."