A BISHOP'S post left vacant since last year amid a child abuse scandal is to be temporarily taken over by the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Al Ireland Eamon Martin has been named Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore.
The appointment by Pope Francis was announced yesterday.
Archbishop Martin will replace Bishop Philip Boyce who had held the role from March 2018 following the resignation of Bishop John McAreavey.
Bishop McAreavey tendered his resignation amid criticism over celebrating Mass with the late Fr Malachy Finegan, who had been accused of child abuse.
The allegations against Fr Finegan date from when he was a parish priest in Hilltown, Co Down, and during his time as a teacher in St Colman's College in Newry.
He died in 2002 but last year the PSNI set up a team to investigate the abuse claims.
In a letter to parishioners, clergy and religious of the Diocese of Dromore, Archbishop Martin said one of his first priorities will be to receive a full briefing on safeguarding issues and to be updated on any statutory investigations into the matters.
"I shall, of course, fully cooperate with developments in this regard," he added.
"I will also strongly encourage the positive pastoral initiatives and administrative developments already under way in the diocese to ensure that the parishes of Dromore remain vibrant, missionary and in a state of readiness for the future."
The archbishop, who will continue in his roles as Archbishop of Armagh and president of the Irish Episcopal Conference, said he was "humbled" by the request from Pope Francis and "grateful for his confidence in me".
He said his aim will be "to provide as much stability as possible for Dromore as we await the Holy Father’s decision regarding the appointment of a new bishop in the future".
He also thanked Bishop Boyce for giving up a year of his retirement to step in at short notice and accept governance responsibility for the diocese.
Bishop Boyce, who is 79, thanked the people and clergy for their "prayers, goodwill, encouragement and unstinting support over the last year".
"While I am looking forward to my retirement, I remain available to pastorally support Archbishop Martin, and Dromore, in any way that I can,” he said.
Archbishop Martin will celebrate the annual Mass of Chrism at 10.30am on Holy Thursday in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick & Saint Colman, Newry, and the Easter Sunday Mass at 10am, also in the cathedral.
