Donegal-born nun appointed to Vatican Dicastery by Pope Leo XIV

A Donegal-born nun has been appointed to a Vatican Dicastery by the Pope.

Sr Mary T Barron, a native of Drumoghill, the congregational leader of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA Sisters) has been confirmed as Consultor to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue by Pope Leo XIV.

Two years ago, the late Pope Francis announced Sr Mary as a member of a Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches when confirming appointments to the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

Sr Mary gained extensive missionary experience in Nigeria, West Africa and Tanzania, East Africa. 

She was elected the Executive Board of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in May 2019, as vice-President in May 2022, and president in 2023.

Sr Mary heads up an order of nuns who run St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Nigeria where 315 staff and students were abducted in November.

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue promotes and supervises relations with members and groups of non-Christian religions.

It is the Dicastery’s task to assist diocesan/eparchial Bishops in the formation of those who engage in interreligious dialogue.

The Dicastery is a follow-on from the Secretariat for non-Christians, initially formed by Pope Saint Paul VI in 1964.

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The Dicastery says it: “Works to ensure that dialogue with the followers of other religions takes place in an appropriate way, with an attitude of listening, esteem and respect. It fosters various kinds of relations with them so that, through the contribution of all, peace, freedom, social justice, the protection and safeguarding of creation, and spiritual and moral values may be promoted.”

In her youth, Sr Mary was a national gold medallist when running for Finn Valley AC. In 1978, she was a part of a FVAC team including Sinead McGranaghan, Geraldine Dullaghan, Jacqueline Barron and Deirdre Quinn who won gold in the National U11 Cross Country.