# Lawrence Duffy

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lawrence_Duffy
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lawrence_Duffy.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Duffy
> Source revision: 1351552813
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Irish Roman Catholic prelate (born 1951)

The Most Reverend Lawrence Duffy Bishop of Clogher Church Roman Catholic Diocese Clogher Appointed 8 December 2018 Predecessor Liam MacDaid Previous posts Vicar general and dean of the chapter of canons of the Diocese of Clogher Parish priest of Carrickmacross, Clones and Ederney Orders Ordination 13 June 1976 by Patrick Mulligan Consecration 10 February 2019 by Eamon Martin Personal details Born (1951-11-27) 27 November 1951 (age 74) Magheracloone, County Monaghan, Ireland Parents Thomas and Elizabeth Duffy Alma mater St. Patrick's, Carlow College Motto God is love

Styles of Lawrence Duffy Reference style The Most Reverend Spoken style Your Grace Religious style Bishop

**Lawrence "Larry" Duffy** (born 27 November 1951) is an [Irish](/source/Republic_of_Ireland) [Roman Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) [prelate](/source/Prelate) who has served as [Bishop of Clogher](/source/Bishop_of_Clogher) since 2019.

## Early life and education

Duffy was born on 27 November 1951 in [Magheracloone](/source/Magheracloone), [County Monaghan](/source/County_Monaghan), one of five children to Thomas and Elizabeth Duffy.[1][2][3] In his youth, he played [Gaelic football](/source/Gaelic_football) for [Magheracloone Mitchells](/source/Magheracloone_Mitchells_GAC).[4]

Duffy attended primary school at Ballynagearn National School and secondary school at the [Patrician High School](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patrician_High_School&action=edit&redlink=1), [Carrickmacross](/source/Carrickmacross), before studying for the priesthood at [St Patrick's, Carlow College](/source/St_Patrick's%2C_Carlow_College).[3]

He was [ordained a priest](/source/Holy_orders_in_the_Catholic_Church) for the [Diocese of Clogher](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Clogher) on 13 June 1976.[1]

## Presbyteral ministry

Following ordination, Duffy's first pastoral assignment was as [curate](/source/Curate) in [Enniskillen](/source/Enniskillen). He was subsequently appointed curate in [Castleblayney](/source/Castleblayney) in 1978, and the [cathedral parish](/source/St_Macartan's_Cathedral%2C_Monaghan) in [Monaghan](/source/Monaghan) in 1994.[5][6]

Between 1998 and 2002, Duffy was a [missionary](/source/Missionary) in the [Diocese of Kitui](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Kitui), [Kenya](/source/Kenya), during which time he helped to lead the construction of a church in [Mwingi](/source/Mwingi) and supported religious communities in constructing schools in the diocese.[7][8]

He returned to the [Diocese of Clogher](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Clogher) in 2003, when he was appointed parish priest in [Ederney](/source/Ederney). Duffy was subsequently appointed parish priest in [Clones](/source/Clones%2C_County_Monaghan) in 2008, and in [Carrickmacross](/source/Carrickmacross) in 2013. Prior to his episcopal appointment, he had also served as [administrator](/source/Administrator_(of_ecclesiastical_property)) in his native parish of [Magheracloone](/source/Magheracloone), [vicar general](/source/Vicar_general) of the diocese between 2013 and 2016, and also as [dean](/source/Dean_(Christianity)) of the diocesan [chapter of canons](/source/Chapter_(religion)).[9][10]

## Episcopal ministry

Duffy was appointed [Bishop-elect of Clogher](/source/Bishop_of_Clogher) by [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) on 8 December 2018.[11][5][2][12] The appointment was seen as unusual as, at that time, new bishops in Ireland tended to be appointed from without their native diocese, rather than within.[13][14]

He received episcopal ordination from the [Archbishop of Armagh](/source/Archbishop_of_Armagh) and [Primate of All Ireland](/source/Primacy_of_Ireland), [Eamon Martin](/source/Eamon_Martin), on 10 February 2019 in [St Macartan's Cathedral](/source/St_Macartan's_Cathedral%2C_Monaghan), [Monaghan](/source/Monaghan).[5][8]

In an interview with *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)* on 15 October 2020, Duffy spoke of the frustration felt by people in his diocese who could attend public Mass in parishes within [Northern Ireland](/source/Northern_Ireland) during the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), but not in the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland).[15] In an interview with *[The Irish Catholic](/source/The_Irish_Catholic)* on 22 October 2020, he stated his belief that the restriction on public prayer during [Level 3 restrictions in the Republic of Ireland](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland) was "severe".[16]

Bishop Duffy has initiated a series of pastoral reforms aimed at coping with the falling number of priests in his diocese. In 2023 he observed "the figures given to us indicate that if we continue as we are, in less than 20 years there will be fewer than 10 priests covering the 85 churches across the whole diocese" [17] and, consequently, has encouraged the development of new ministries for lay people including at a time of funerals and bereavement. [18]

He has also introduced the [permanent diaconate](/source/Permanent_diaconate) into his diocese [19] and welcomed Kenyan priests to minister in Clogher. [20]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["Pope Francis appoints Monsignor Lawrence Duffy as the new Bishop of Clogher"](https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2018/12/08/pope-francis-appoints-monsignor-lawrence-duffy-as-the-new-bishop-of-clogher/). *Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference*. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-birth_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-birth_2-1) Donohoe, John (10 December 2018). ["Carrickmacross PP appointed new Bishop of Clogher"](https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2018/12/10/carrickmacross-pp-appointed-new-bishop-of-clogher/). *Meath Chronicle*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_3-1) Carville, Gary (31 January 2020). ["Bishop Duffy celebrates Catholic Schools Week in Enniskillen & Magheracloone"](https://clogherdiocese.ie/2020/01/bishop-duffy-celebrates-catholic-schools-week-in-enniskillen-magheracloone/). *Diocese of Clogher*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Boyd, Majella (8 December 2018). ["Former Magheracloone Player Mgr Larry Duffy Appointed Bishop of Clogher"](https://www.monaghangaa.ie/2018/12/former-magheracloone-player-mgr-larry-duffy-appointed-bishop-of-clogher/). *CLG Mhuineacháin*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_5-2) Gately, Susan (9 December 2018). ["Popular local priest is to be new bishop in Monaghan"](https://www.catholicireland.net/popular-local-priest-new-bishop-monaghan/). *CatholicIreland.net*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** McCabe, Donard (2 December 2019). ["St Mary's Church, Castleblayney to be rededicated next Sunday"](https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/home/498417/st-marys-church-castleblayney-to-be-rededicated-next-sunday.html). *Dundalk Democrat*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Carville, Gary (8 December 2018). ["Pope Francis appoints Mgr Larry Duffy as the new Bishop of Clogher"](https://clogherdiocese.ie/2018/12/pope-francis-appoints-mgr-larry-duffy-as-the-new-bishop-of-clogher/). *Diocese of Clogher*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_8-1) Molloy, Cian (11 February 2019). ["Bishop Larry Duffy answers 'call within a call' in Monaghan Cathedral consecration"](https://www.catholicireland.net/bishop-larry-duffy-answers-call-within-call-monaghan-cathedral-consecration/). *CatholicIreland.net*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Surphlis, Linda (15 February 2019). ["New Bishop's ordination leaves a 'feel-good' factor"](https://fermanaghherald.com/2019/02/new-bishops-ordination-leaves-a-feel-good-factor/). *The Fermanagh Herald*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Media Information for the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Larry Duffy as the new Bishop of Clogher"](https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2019/02/06/media-information-for-the-episcopal-ordination-of-monsignor-larry-duffy-as-the-new-bishop-of-clogher/). *Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Monsignor Larry Duffy named as new bishop of Clogher"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46493371). *BBC News*. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Monsignor Laurence Duffy named as new Bishop of Clogher"](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/monsignor-laurence-duffy-named-as-new-bishop-of-clogher-1.3725034). *The Irish Times*. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["New Clogher Bishop-elect wins warm local welcome"](https://www.irishcatholic.com/new-clogher-bishop-elect-wins-warm-local-welcome/). *The Irish Catholic*. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Daly, Greg (14 February 2019). ["A bishop grown on local soil"](https://www.irishcatholic.com/a-bishop-grown-on-local-soil/). *The Irish Catholic*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** McGarry, Patsy (15 October 2020). ["Cross-border Catholics may attend Masses in NI parishes, but not in Republic"](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/cross-border-catholics-may-attend-masses-in-ni-parishes-but-not-in-republic-1.4382109). *The Irish Times*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Brady, Chai (22 October 2020). ["Restricting public prayer during level 3 was 'severe', says bishop"](https://www.irishcatholic.com/restricting-public-prayer-during-level-3-was-severe-says-bishop/). *The Irish Catholic*. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [https://www.impartialreporter.com/news/23684692.clogher-diocese-bishops-warning-shortfall-priests/](https://www.impartialreporter.com/news/23684692.clogher-diocese-bishops-warning-shortfall-priests/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/lay-people-commissioned-by-bishop-as-funeral-ministers/](https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/lay-people-commissioned-by-bishop-as-funeral-ministers/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [https://www.impartialreporter.com/news/19931911.married-dad-four-paul-proud-ordained-new-deacon/](https://www.impartialreporter.com/news/19931911.married-dad-four-paul-proud-ordained-new-deacon/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2019/08/20/news/priest-in-kenya-moves-to-clogher-diocese-under-bishop-s-clerical-changes-1689058/](https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2019/08/20/news/priest-in-kenya-moves-to-clogher-diocese-under-bishop-s-clerical-changes-1689058/)

## External links

- [Bishop Lawrence Duffy](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bduffyl.html) on [Catholic-Hierarchy.org](/source/Catholic-Hierarchy.org)

- [Bishop Lawrence Duffy](http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/clog0.htm#62356) on GCatholic

- [Bishop Lawrence Duffy](https://clogherdiocese.ie/our-bishop/) on [Diocese of Clogher](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Clogher)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [Catholicism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Catholicism)
- [Ireland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Ireland)

v t e Catholic Church in Ireland Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference Dioceses Province of Armagh: Archdiocese of Armagh Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Diocese of Clogher Diocese of Derry Diocese of Down and Connor Diocese of Dromore Diocese of Kilmore Diocese of Meath Diocese of Raphoe Province of Cashel: Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly Diocese of Cloyne Cork and Ross Diocese of Kerry Diocese of Killaloe Diocese of Limerick Diocese of Waterford and Lismore Diocese of Kilfenora Province of Dublin: Archdiocese of Dublin Diocese of Ferns Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin Diocese of Ossory Province of Tuam: Archdiocese of Tuam Diocese of Achonry Diocese of Clonfert Diocese of Galway and Kilmacduagh Diocese of Elphin Diocese of Killala Bishops Archbishop of Armagh (Eamon Martin) Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise (Paul Connell) Bishop of Clogher (Lawrence Duffy) Bishop of Derry (Donal McKeown) Bishop of Down and Connor (Noel Treanor) Bishop of Dromore (sede vacante) Bishop of Kilmore (Martin Hayes) Bishop of Meath (Thomas Deenihan) Bishop of Raphoe (Alan McGuckian) Archbishop of Cashel and Emly (Kieran O'Reilly) Bishop of Cloyne (William Crean) Bishop of Cork and Ross (Fintan Gavin) Bishop of Kerry (Raymond Browne) Bishop of Killaloe (Fintan Monahan) Bishop of Limerick (Brendan Leahy) Bishop of Waterford and Lismore (Alphonsus Cullinan) Archbishop of Dublin (Dermot Farrell) Bishop of Ferns (Gerard Nash) Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin (Denis Nulty) Bishop of Ossory (Niall Coll) Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Killala (Francis Duffy) Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora (Michael Duignan) Bishop of Achonry and Bishop of Elphin (Kevin Doran) Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Apostolic Visitor (Kenneth Nowakowski) Churches Armagh Cathedral Belfast Cathedral Cavan Cathedral Derry Cathedral Letterkenny Cathedral Longford Cathedral Monaghan Cathedral Mullingar Cathedral Newry Cathedral Cobh Cathedral Cork Cathedral Ennis Cathedral Killarney Cathedral Limerick Cathedral Skibbereen Cathedral Thurles Cathedral Waterford Cathedral Carlow Cathedral Dublin Cathedral Enniscorthy Cathedral Kilkenny Cathedral Ballaghaderreen Cathedral Ballina Cathedral Galway Cathedral Loughrea Cathedral Sligo Cathedral Tuam Cathedral List of Catholic churches in Ireland See also Knock Shrine St Patrick's Purgatory St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth List of monastic houses in Ireland List of Catholic schools in Ireland by religious order List of saints of Ireland Apostolic Nunciature to Ireland Holy See–Ireland relations Catholicism portal Ireland portal

v t e Roman Catholic Bishops of Clogher Raymund MacMahon Cornelius MacArdel Eugene Matthews Patrick Quinn Heber MacMahon Philip Crolly Patrick Duffy Patrick Tyrrell Hugh MacMahon Bernard MacMahon Ross MacMahon Daniel O'Reilly Hugh O'Reilly James Murphy Edward Kernan Charles McNally James Donnelly Richard Owens Patrick McKenna Eugene O'Callaghan Patrick Mulligan Joseph Duffy Liam MacDaid Lawrence Duffy Catholicism portal

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lawrence Duffy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Duffy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Duffy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.