The Most Reverend, Dr.

Thomas Deenihan

D.Ed KC*HS
Bishop of Meath
ChurchRoman Catholic
DioceseMeath
Appointed18 June 2018
Installed2 September 2018
PredecessorMichael Smith
Orders
Ordination1 June 1991
by Michael Murphy
Consecration2 September 2018
by Eamon Martin
Personal details
Born (1967-06-20) 20 June 1967 (age 56)
Cork, Ireland
Previous post(s)Diocesan Secretary, Education Secretary and Advisor for Post-Primary Catechetics of the Diocese of Cork and Ross
General Secretary of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association
Chair of the Board of Directors of the Christian Leadership in Education Office
Teacher at St Goban's College
Alma materUniversity of Hull
St Patrick’s College, Maynooth
MottoIlluminabit te Christus
(Christ will give you light)
Coat of armsThomas Deenihan's coat of arms
Styles of
Thomas Deenihan
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Grace
Religious styleBishop

Thomas Deenihan KC*HS (born 20 June 1967) is an Irish Roman Catholic prelate who has served as Bishop of Meath since 2018.

Early life and education

Deenihan was born in Blackpool, Cork on 20 June 1967. He attended secondary school at the North Monastery Christian Brothers School and studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.[1]

Deenihan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cork and Ross in 1991.[2]

Presbyteral ministry

Following ordination, Deenihan's first pastoral assignment was as curate in Glanmire. He was appointed to the teaching staff of St Goban's College, Bantry in 1994, during which time he also served as curate in Ballydehob, Bantry, Kealkill and Schull. As part of the Christian Leadership in Education Office programme, Deenihan also completed further studies at the University of Hull, completing a Master of Education in 1999 and subsequently a Doctor of Education.[1][3][4]

He was appointed diocesan advisor for post-primary catechetics in 2003, and subsequently as diocesan secretary and education secretary three years later.[1][5]

On a national level, Deenihan served as general secretary of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association from 2013 to 2016, and acted as executive secretary to the Council for Education and the Commission for Catholic Education and Formation of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference from 2016 to 2018. He also served as a member of the Honan Governors at University College Cork and Mercy Care South, as diocesan juridical person for Mercy University Hospital and as chair of the Board of Directors of the Christian Leadership in Education Office.[1]

Deenihan was appointed a canon and member of the cathedral chapter in 2017.[1]

Episcopal ministry

Deenihan was appointed Bishop-elect of Meath by Pope Francis on 18 June 2018.[1][6][7][8]

He was consecrated by the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, Eamon Martin, on 2 September at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar.[9][10][11]

Speaking at the funeral of Ashling Murphy on 18 January 2022, Deenihan referred to her murder as "a depraved act of violence" and called on people to respect each other.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Pope Francis appoints Canon Thomas Deenihan as the new Bishop of Meath". Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  2. ^ Bermingham, Darragh (18 June 2018). "Blackpool-born Fr Tom Deenihan appointed Bishop of Meath". The Echo. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  3. ^ Deenihan, Thomas (16 June 1999). An analysis of religious education in post-primary schools in the dioceses of Cork and Ross - with specific reference to the introduction of religious education as an examination subject (PDF) (Master of Education thesis). University of Hull.
  4. ^ "Bishop". Diocese of Meath. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  5. ^ Ryan, Eilís (30 August 2018). "Cork canon to be ordained bishop of Meath on Sunday". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  6. ^ Little, Joe (18 June 2018). "Thomas Deenihan appointed new Bishop of Meath". RTÉ.
  7. ^ Becton, Gavan (18 June 2018). "Pope appoints Canon Thomas Deenihan as new Bishop of Meath". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  8. ^ Mac Donald, Sarah (18 June 2018). "Canon Thomas Deenihan appointed by Pope as new Bishop of Meath". CatholicIreland.net. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  9. ^ Farry, Rodney (2 September 2018). "It's not always easy being a priest today, says new Bishop of Meath". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  10. ^ Daly, Greg (6 September 2018). "We must go to the people – Bishop Deenihan". The Irish Catholic. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  11. ^ Gledhill, Ruth (3 September 2018). "New Bishop of Meath: 'Our ministry must be joyful!'". The Tablet. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  12. ^ Hussey, Sinéad (18 January 2022). "Teacher's murder a 'depraved act of violence'". RTÉ. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  13. ^ Grennan, Geraldine (18 January 2022). "Bishop makes heartfelt plea for "respect" at funeral of Ashling Murphy". Anglo Celt. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

External links

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Catholic Church titles Preceded byMichael Smith Bishop of Meath since 2018 Succeeded byIncumbent


Catholic Church in Ireland
Roman Catholic Bishops of Meath
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