IRELAND
Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
Statement by Monsignor Eamon Martin on his appointment as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh
A chairde, go raibh maith agaibh as an fháilte gheal a chuir sibh romham. Is onóir é a bheith in bhur measc. Is mór agam bhur bpaidreacha agus na dea-ghuíonna go léir. My brothers and sisters in Christ: I have a whole mixture of feelings as I greet you today. I was shocked some days ago, when I heard Archbishop Brown say that Pope Benedict XVI had nominated me as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh. I am very conscious of the great trust that the Holy Father has placed in me, but in truth I have to admit it was with considerable nervousness and trepidation that I accepted his call. So it means a lot to me that you are here today – thank you for this very warm welcome. Archbishop Brown, I appreciate you taking the time to be with us and all your support. And thank you, Cardinal Brady and Bishop Clifford for welcoming me here to Armagh and for your encouragement in recent days. No doubt today, Cardinal Brady, brings back memories of when you were ordained as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh back in February 1995. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Archdiocese over many years. I very much look forward to working with you.
Over the past few days, I have reflected a lot on this new calling from God in my life. I am humbled and honoured to serve as bishop in this historic Archdiocese of Armagh. I feel like the apostles in chapter 5 of Luke’s Gospel, being called by Our Lord to be courageous, to ‘put out into the deep’ (Luke 5:4). And as I come to this wonderful place, Armagh, the Christian heart of Ireland – I find myself like St Patrick praying for:
God’s strength to pilot me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me.
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