NEW BISHOP:
Friar Michael Lenihan, OFM, from Co. Limerick, has been appointed by the Holy See as first bishop of La Ceiba in Honduras, Central America. We congratulate Michael and assure him of our support and prayers as he undertakes the responsibility of organising the new diocese.
The new diocese of La Ceiba covers an area 4,640 kmq, with a population 547,709, of whom 398,800 are Catholic. There are 22 priests and 42 religious ministering in the area. Michael was former vicar general and parish priest in the diocese of Comayagua, Honduras. The bishop-elect was born in Abbeyfeale in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1980. Before going to work in Central America in 1989 he was stationed at Mulyfarnham, Co. Westmeath, and Wexford friary.
Michael will be ordained bishop on 11 February.