A Mass of Thanksgiving takes place this evening to mark the departure of Bishop Alan McGuckian from the Raphoe Diocese after almost seven years.
A large congregation is expected at St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny at 7 pm as the parish communities gather to pray for Bishop Alan as he prepares to take up his duties as Bishop of Down and Connor.
It will be a bittersweet celebration as the diocese says farewell to a leader and a friend.
A statement from the St Eunan’s Cathedral parish said: “If on the one hand we are honoured that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, should have recognised in our Bishop qualities that made him suitable to lead the second largest diocese in Ireland – Down and Connor, we are also sincerely sorry to lose someone whom the community has taken to itself in many and different ways.”
An avid parkrunner, Bishop Alan put his best foot forward when he stepped into the Letterkenny community. He was ordained Bishop at St. Eunan’s Cathedral Letterkenny in August 2017, becoming the first ever member of the Jesuit Order to be appointed a Bishop in Ireland.
August 2017: Bishop Elect Fr Alan McGuickan on the alter of St Eunan’s Cathedral during his inaugeration as Bishop of Raphoe. (North West Newspix)
“At the Park Run, Bishop Alan formed not only friendships and made good acquaintances; he also unintentionally built up good will and affection for himself and the mission of the Church,” said the farewell message from the parish.
“By degrees, the people of the Cathedral parish came to know its Parish Priest, and to appreciate not only his brisk celebration of the Mass (!) but more especially his insightful preaching of the gospel, apt both for understanding the mission of the Church in our context today, and the dynamics of faith and life that are the stuff of our spiritual journeys. Our affection for him has grown in his easy way and the readiness of his involvement in any good thing he has been asked to attend.”
Many people will forever remember Bishop Alan’s rosaries shared on social media during the pandemic. This will be his legacy: “His prayerful leadership during the worst of the Covid lockdown was invaluable, life-giving and, for many, life-saving.”
The message continues: “A great many of us feel a real sense of loss at his going, aware that his leadership has put in place good things to help the diocese and each parish chart a way for a challenging future, with real faith and trust in the Spirit’s guidance and love for our Faith.
“We entrust him to the intercession of St. Colmcille, whose footsteps he followed along Slí Cholmcille, and whose example and life he set before with new vitality.
“We pray that the Bishop Martyr Blessed Conor O’Devenney, a native of the Drumkeen area and the martyred Bishop of Down and Connor, may intercede for him. And we send with him an assurance of friendship and prayerful accompaniment for his new mission.
“Faoi bhat na Maighdeana thú i gcónaí, a Easbaig dhíl.”
