Tuam has second new Bishop

The Church of Ireland community has a new Bishop of Tuam – with the current Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory taking on a significantly expanded Diocese.

The appointment of the Rt Revd Michael Burrows as the Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe comes just a week after the installation of Francis Duffy as the new Catholic Archbishop of Tuam.

Bishop Burrows’ appointment was confirmed after a meeting of the Episcopal Electoral College for the United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe, in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

The Bishop-elect said he was grateful to the Electoral College for their affirmation and trust.

“I leave a diocese which I have greatly loved after nearly 16 years, having learned so much from them, but clearly it is a time to embrace the new challenge of a new diocese and I look forward to working to cement the new United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe and serving God’s people there,” he said.

Bishop Burrows succeeds the Rt Revd Patrick Rooke – formerly Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry – and the Rt Revd Dr Kenneth Kearon – formerly Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe – who both retired at the end of October 2021, at which time the two dioceses were united.

The Right Reverend Michael Burrows was born 1961 and was ordained in 1987 after graduating from Trinity College Dublin.  He is married to Claire with four grown-up children and is a keen railway enthusiast and organist.

He has served as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory since 2006, and was previously Dean of Cork, Rector of Bandon, Church of Ireland Chaplain at Trinity College Dublin, and Curate in Douglas with Frankfield.

The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, welcomed the appointment.

“Bishop Michael Burrows has served the Church of God and the Church of Ireland assiduously as deacon, priest and bishop.  The clergy and people of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory have been greatly enriched by his commitment, compassion and energy,” he said.

“He will readily invest all these qualities in the life of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe. I wish him all that is best in his new diocese under God,” he added.

Following the ratification of the election by the House of Bishops, the Bishop-elect will be translated from the United Dioceses of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory to the United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe on a date to be determined.