Bunting, blessings and belonging as Niall Coll is installed Bishop of Raphoe

Papal bunting and flags fluttered outside as a stream of clergy filed into St Eunan’s Cathedral for the Mass of Installation of Bishop Niall Coll as the new Bishop of Raphoe on Sunday.

Over 1,000 packed into the 125-year-old Cathedral for one of the most uplifting occasions in the local Church’s modern era.

The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, the Derry-born leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, was joined by His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor - the Argentinian-born Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland who relayed news of the appointment to Bishop Coll from Pope Leo XIV in November - and Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop Emeritus of Armagh. 

The previous two Bishops of Raphoe - Alan McGuckian SJ, now the Bishop of Down and Connor and Philip Boyce, Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe - were also principal celebrants.

Archbishop Martin said it was a “real honour and a joy” to be in Letterkenny “to install a son of Donegal, one of your own” as the new Bishop of Raphoe - a Diocese that includes a Catholic population of 83,050 across its 33 parishes and 71 churches. 

Originally from the Hillhead in St Johnston, Bishop Coll is a proud son of the parish of Taughboyne. His mother Kathleen (who was among the gift carriers) sisters Annemarie and Caitriona and brother Gerard as well as extended family, including his cousin, Fr Stephen Gorman, now the parish priest in Rathmullan, were in the congregation. Bishop Coll's father Willie passed away in December 2023.

Bishop Coll was greeted at the main door of the Cathedral by the College of Consultors, a group of eight local priests, before being introduced to Archbishop Martin. 

He was presented with a crucifix by Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, who operated as the Diocesan Administrator during the period of sede vicante in the See of Raphoe following Bishop McGuckian’s transfer to Down and Connor in 2024.

Bishop Niall Coll. Photo: Joe Boland (North West Newspix)

Bishop Coll was given the McDevitt Crozier and was led by Archbishop Martin to his Cathedra (the throne of the Bishop), before receiving greetings from the Presbyterate of Raphoe, the Religious of the Diocese and the Lay Faithful as well as representatives of other Christian Churches and civil dignitaries. Archbishop Montemayor presented the Apostolic Mandate to Bishop Coll 

Deputies Pat The Cope Gallagher and Charlie McConalogue, Senators Niall Blaney and Manus Boyle, Donegal County Council Chief Executive John McLaughlin, Mayor of Donegal Councillor Paul Canning, Mayor of Letterkenny Councillor Ciaran Brogan and Donegal Garda Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan were among the dignitaries present. 

Read next: New Bishop of Raphoe Niall Coll calls for a ‘credible Church’ rooted in hope

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Raphoe Andrew Forster was among a large crowd of clergy from other faiths who were in attendance. 

Readings were given by Annemarie Rafferty - Bishop Coll’s sister - and Cliona Ni Gallachoir, while nine students from secondary schools in Donegal delivered the prayers of the faithful. The gospel was sung by Letterkenny-based curate Fr Anthony Hartnett.

The choir for Sunday’s Mass was drawn from the 33 parishes of the Diocese.

Following his formal installation, Bishop Coll led the liturgy as Chief Celebrant of Mass.

For the last three years, he served as the Bishop of Ossory having been ordained a bishop at St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny in January, 2023 following spells as the parish priest in Tawnawilly and Drumholm.

On Sunday, Bishop Coll was back before the altar where he had lain for the prostration at his ordination in the Cathedral in July, 1988. That summer Sunday 38 years ago, he was one of five candidates before Bishop Seamus Hegarty for the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Bishop Niall Coll is greeted by Church of Ireland Bishop of Raphoe Andrew Forster.

Fr Joseph O’Donnell, reared only a couple of hundred yards away from Bishop Coll on St Johnston’s Main Street, was ordained the same day. Fr O’Donnell died in 2019 and was remembered in the Prayers of the Faithful. The now Carrigart parish priest Fr Paddy Dunne, Glencolmcille PP Fr Denis Quinn and Kinclasslagh/Burtonport PP Fr Pat Ward were the others ordained alongside Fr Niall Coll in 1988.

In 1992 he went to Rome to study for a Doctorate in Theology at the Gregorian University and in 1995, he was awarded a Doctoral Degree for a thesis in Christology, which was later published as Christ in Eternity and Time: Contemporary Anglican Perspectives.

A skilled theologian, he served at third level in both St Patrick’s College, Carlow and St Mary’s University College, Belfast, while he also taught in Pobalscoil na Rosann.

As the Bishop of Raphoe, he will be the patron of 99 primary schools, while there are also 20 voluntary secondary schools and State schools in the diocese.  

The theme of teaching was one touched on by Bishop Coll in his Homily.

“Before any bishop teaches or governs, he must first be a disciple, one who follows,” he said. “He must listen to the Word of God and walk with the people. A bishop does not stand above the call to discipleship. He stands within it.”