Francis Duffy (bishop)

He was born in Bawnboy, County Cavan, Ireland on 21 April 1958.[1][2] After early education at Munlough national school, he attended St. Patrick's College, Cavan and then entered Maynooth, where he took the requisite undergraduate Philosophy and graduate Theology seminary coursework.[2] Subsequently, he earned two Master's Degrees: in History, from the National University of Ireland, and in Education and Management, at Trinity College Dublin.[2]

He was ordained to the priesthood on 20 June 1982, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore.[1] After his presbyteral ordination, he taught History and the Irish language at St. Patrick's College, Cavan, and was subsequently a teacher at St. Felim's College, Ballinamore, later becoming the Dean there.[2] From 2008 to 2012, he was the Secretary and the Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore.[2] Until his episcopal appointment, while assisting at St. Michael's Church, Clifferna in the Parish of Laragh, he was completing, on a sort of gap year, a Doctorate in Education.[2]

He was appointed the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise by Pope Francis on 17 July 2013.[1][2] His episcopal consecration took place on 6 October 2013, the principal consecrator was Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, and the principal co-consecrators were Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, and Colm O'Reilly, Bishop Emeritus of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise.[1] He is the fourth native of Templeport civil parish to hold the See of Ardagh along with Cormac Mác Shamhradháin, Edmund MacGauran and James Magauran.