Brendan Kelly (bishop)

Brendan Kelly (born 20 May 1946) is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who currently serves as Bishop of Galway, Ireland. He was installed as Bishop of Galway on 11 February 2018.[1]

The Most Reverend Brendan Kelly
Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh
Church	Catholic Church
Diocese	Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
Appointed	11 December 2017
Installed	11 February 2018
Predecessor	Martin Drennan
Other posts	Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora
Orders
Ordination	20 June 1971 by Michael Browne
Consecration	27 January 2008 by Seán Brady
Personal details
Born	20 May 1946 Cahernagarry, County Galway, Republic of Ireland
Previous post	Bishop of Achonry, Parish priest of Lisdoonvarna and An Spidéal and vicar forane for the Kilfenora deanery
Alma mater	St Mary's College, Galway St Patrick's College, Maynooth University College, Galway
Motto	De réir d’fhocail (According to your word)
Coat of arms

Styles of Brendan Kelly
Reference style	The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Lordship
Religious style	Monsignor

Early Life and Education

Kelly was born in Cahernagarry, County Galway to Sean and Annie Kelly, as the second of nine children. He studied at Craughwell National School and St. Mary's College (1959–64) before entering St Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1964. Kelly there obtained a degree in Bachelor of Arts and in Bachelor of Divinity, later receiving his Higher Diploma in Education from University College Galway in 1973. [2]

Priestly Ministry

On 20 June 1971, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Browne, for the Diocese of Galway. Kelly was Curate in Kinvara, and then taught at Coláiste Éinde (1972–80) and Our Lady's College, Gort (1980–86), the latter of which he was subsequently President until 1995. Receiving a Sabbatical leave, he served as Chaplain to the L'Arche community, Founded by Jean Vanier in 1964, at Cuise-la-Motte in France until 1996, and thereafter returned to Ireland as parish priest of Lisdoonvarna.

Kelly was named Canon of the Cathedral Chapter and Vicar Forane for the deanery of Kilfenora on 19 June 2002.

In 2003 he was appointed parish priest of An Spidéal partly because of his fluency in Irish. He became Vicar General of Galway in 2005, and a year later in March 2006 was made a Chaplain of His Holiness.

Episcopal Ministry

On 20 November 2007, Kelly was appointed Bishop of Achonry by Pope Benedict XVI. He was surprised yet pleased by his appointment, and promised to concentrate his initial efforts on becoming acquainted with the clergy and people of the diocese.[3] Cardinal Seán Brady described him as "a man of prayer, filled with love for the Word of God and the pastoral care of people."[4] Kelly received his episcopal consecration and installation as bishop on 27 January 2008.

On 11 December 2017 he was appointed Bishop of Galway and was installed in a ceremony in Galway Cathedral on 11 February 2018.[5]

References

1. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bkellb.html
2. https://www.galwaydiocese.ie/diocese/history/current-and-emeritus-bishops
3. Galway priest new bishop of Achonry Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, Galway Independent, 21 November 2007.
4. New bishop for Anchonry Archived 5 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine, CiNews, 20 November 2007.
5. https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2018/0211/939902-bishop-galway/

External links

• Diocese of Ferns

Episcopal succession