# Paul Dempsey (bishop)

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Irish prelate (born 1971)

The Most Reverend Paul Dempsey MTh Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Titular Bishop of Sita Church Roman Catholic Archdiocese Dublin See Sita Appointed 10 April 2024 Predecessor Raymond Field and Éamonn Walsh (Dublin) Udo Bentz (Sita) Previous posts Bishop of Achonry Parish priest of Newbridge Vicar forane of the North deanery Diocesan youth director and director of vocations for the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin Orders Ordination 6 July 1997 by Laurence Ryan Consecration 30 August 2020 by Michael Neary Personal details Born (1971-04-20) 20 April 1971 (age 55) Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland Parents Tony and Berry Dempsey Alma mater Milltown Institute St. Patrick's, Carlow College All Hallows College Motto Duc in altum (Put out into the deep) Coat of arms

Styles of Paul Dempsey Reference style The Most Reverend Spoken style Your Grace Religious style Bishop

**Paul Dempsey** (born 20 April 1971) is an [Irish](/source/Republic_of_Ireland) [Roman Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) [prelate](/source/Prelate) who has served as [auxiliary bishop](/source/Auxiliary_bishop) of [Dublin](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Dublin) and [titular bishop](/source/Titular_bishop) of [Sita](/source/Diocese_of_Sita) since 2024.

## Early life and education

Dempsey was born in [Carlow](/source/Carlow) on 20 April 1971, the youngest of four children to Tony and Berry Dempsey. He moved with his family to [Athy](/source/Athy), [County Kildare](/source/County_Kildare), in 1978, where he attended the local [Christian Brothers](/source/Congregation_of_Christian_Brothers) primary school and secondary school at the local Christian Brothers secondary school, Scoil Eoin.[1][2]

Dempsey studied for the priesthood in [Milltown Institute](/source/Milltown_Institute_of_Theology_and_Philosophy), [St Patrick's, Carlow College](/source/St_Patrick's%2C_Carlow_College) and [All Hallows College](/source/All_Hallows_College).[3]

He was [ordained a priest](/source/Holy_orders_in_the_Catholic_Church) for the [Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Kildare_and_Leighlin) on 6 July 1997.[4]

## Presbyteral ministry

Following ordination, Dempsey's first pastoral appointment was as a [curate](/source/Curate) in [Clane](/source/Clane) and [Rathcoffey](/source/Rathcoffey). Seven years later, he was appointed curate in [Kildare](/source/Kildare), and simultaneously as diocesan youth director and director of vocations. During his time as diocesan youth director, Dempsey organised two [World Youth Day](/source/World_Youth_Day) pilgrimages in [2005](/source/World_Youth_Day_2005) and [2008](/source/World_Youth_Day_2008). It was during his curacy in Kildare that he also started writing a weekly article in the *[Leinster Leader](/source/Leinster_Leader)* and presenting *Religion Matters*, a religious and social affairs program on [Kfm](/source/Kfm_(Ireland)).

Dempsey returned to the Milltown Institute for further studies, completing a [master's degree in theology](/source/Master_of_Theology) in 2008.[5] His thesis examined whether the Catholic Church in contemporary Ireland was a church in crisis or one in question.[6]

Dempsey was appointed to the parish cluster of [Naas](/source/Naas), [Sallins](/source/Sallins) and Two Mile House in 2009, before moving to [Newbridge](/source/Newbridge%2C_County_Kildare) in August 2014, when he was also appointed [vicar forane](/source/Dean_(Christianity)) for the North deanery. The following year, Dempsey was appointed parish priest in Newbridge and simultaneously [administrator](/source/Administrator_(of_ecclesiastical_property)) in [Caragh](/source/Caragh) and [Prosperous](/source/Prosperous%2C_County_Kildare).[7]

In a December 2010 article for *[The Furrow](/source/The_Furrow)* on being a priest in modern Ireland, Dempsey wrote that "the Church community needs to enter into a period of deep reflection", adding that it would be "refreshing to see some leadership around this 'reflection' culminating in some form of national Church gathering", and noting his awareness of major issues in the church, such as the role of women and the appointment of bishops.[8]

## Episcopal ministry

### Bishop of Achonry

Dempsey was appointed [Bishop-elect of Achonry](/source/Bishop_of_Achonry) by [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) on 27 January 2020,[1][9][10] the first Carlow-born bishop to be appointed since [Michael Comerford](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Comerford&action=edit&redlink=1) as [coadjutor bishop](/source/Coadjutor_bishop) of [Kildare and Leighlin](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Kildare_and_Leighlin) in 1888.[11]

His episcopal ordination was initially scheduled to take place on 19 April, but was rescheduled on 17 June due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).[12][13][14] Dempsey was eventually consecrated by the [Archbishop of Tuam](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Tuam), [Michael Neary](/source/Michael_Neary_(bishop)), on 30 August in the [Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy](/source/Cathedral_of_the_Annunciation_of_the_Blessed_Virgin_Mary_and_St_Nathy%2C_Ballaghaderreen), [Ballaghaderreen](/source/Ballaghaderreen).[15][16][17]

In response to a document published by the [Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith](/source/Dicastery_for_the_Doctrine_of_the_Faith) in March 2021, Dempsey released a statement on 26 March 2021 in which he referred to language in the document banning blessings for same-sex couples as "hurtful".[18][19]

In his Lenten [pastoral letter](/source/Pastoral_letter) in 2023, he expressed his concerns about falling vocations to the priesthood, revealing that there hadn't been an ordination in the diocese since 2013, and no more than twelve priests would be serving in the [Diocese of Achonry](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Achonry) in ten years' time.[20]

### Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin

In response to a wider reorganisation of diocesan church leadership in the [ecclesiastical province](/source/Ecclesiastical_province) of [Tuam](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Tuam), Dempsey was appointed [auxiliary bishop](/source/Auxiliary_bishop) of [Dublin](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Dublin) and [titular bishop](/source/Titular_bishop) of [Sita](/source/Diocese_of_Sita) by Pope Francis on 10 April 2024. The [Bishop of Elphin](/source/Bishop_of_Elphin), [Kevin Doran](/source/Kevin_Doran), was subsequently appointed as [apostolic administrator](/source/Apostolic_administration) *[sede vacante](/source/Sede_vacante)* of the Diocese of Achonry.[21][22][23][24][25][26]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["Pope Francis appoints Father Paul Dempsey as the new Bishop of Achonry"](https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/01/27/pope-francis-appoints-father-paul-dempsey-as-the-new-bishop-of-achonry/). *Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Ivers, Donna (28 January 2020). ["Past Pupil Appointed as Bishop of Achonry"](https://ardscoil.ie/Article/Past-Pupil-Appointed-as-Bishop-of-Achonry/6413/Index.html). *Ardscoil na Tríonóide*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Pender, Suzanne (31 January 2020). ["Fr Paul Dempsey is Carlow's first bishop in more than 130 years"](https://carlow-nationalist.ie/2020/01/31/fr-paul-dempsey-is-carlows-first-bishop-in-more-than-130-years/). *Carlow Nationalist*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** McCaughley, Ciara (30 August 2020). ["Episcopal Ordination of new Bishop of Achonry in Ballaghaderreen this afternoon"](https://roscommonherald.ie/2020/08/30/episcopal-ordination-of-new-bishop-of-achonry-in-ballaghaderreen-this-afternoon/). *Roscommon Herald*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Fr Paul Dempsey to be new Bishop of Achonry"](https://www.irishcatholic.com/fr-paul-dempsey-to-be-new-bishop-of-achonry/). *The Irish Catholic*. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** MacDonald, Sarah (27 January 2020). ["Pope Francis appoints Fr Paul Dempsey as the new Bishop of Achonry"](https://www.catholicireland.net/pope-francis-appoints-fr-paul-dempsey-new-bishop-achonry/). *CatholicIreland.net*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hogan, Senan (6 February 2020). ["INTERVIEW: Kildare's Fr Paul Dempsey, the new Bishop of Achonry, on his new job, celibacy and women in the church"](https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/news/515198/interview-kildares-fr-paul-dempsey-the-new-bishop-of-achonry-on-his-new-job-celibacy-and-women-in-the-church.html). *Leinster Leader*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Dempsey, Paul (December 2010). ["Being a Priest in Ireland Today — a young priest's view"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/29765041). *[The Furrow](/source/The_Furrow)*. **61** (12): 667–676. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [29765041](https://www.jstor.org/stable/29765041).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** McGarry, Patsy (27 January 2020). ["Kildare priest appointed new Catholic bishop in west of Ireland"](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/kildare-priest-appointed-new-catholic-bishop-in-west-of-ireland-1.4152742). *The Irish Times*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["New bishop appointed to Diocese of Achonry"](https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2020/01/27/new-bishop-appointed-to-diocese-of-achonry/). *Connaught Telegraph*. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Pender, Suzanne (31 January 2020). ["Fr Paul Dempsey is Carlow's first bishop in more than 130 years"](https://carlow-nationalist.ie/2020/01/31/fr-paul-dempsey-is-carlows-first-bishop-in-more-than-130-years/). *Carlow Nationalist*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Rescheduled date announced for the Episcopal Ordination of Father Paul Dempsey, Bishop-elect of Achonry"](https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/06/17/rescheduled-date-announced-for-the-episcopal-ordination-of-father-paul-dempsey-bishop-elect-of-achonry/). *Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Virus outbreak delays ordination of Bishop"](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/virus-outbreak-delays-ordination-of-bishop-39057945.html). *The Sligo Champion*. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Duggan, Marian (17 June 2020). ["New date for bishop's ordination"](https://westernpeople.ie/2020/06/17/new-date-for-bishops-ordination/). *Western People*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Fr Paul Dempsey to be ordained as bishop this afternoon"](https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2020/08/30/former-newbridge-pp-to-be-ordained-as-bishop-this-afternoon/). *Kildare Nationalist*. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Media information for the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Paul Dempsey"](https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/08/27/media-information-for-the-episcopal-ordination-of-bishop-elect-paul-dempsey/). *Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Hearns, Orla (30 August 2020). ["New bishop ordained at unique socially-distanced ceremony in Ballaghaderreen"](https://westernpeople.ie/2020/08/30/newly-ordained-bishop-paul-dempsey-shares-vision-for-achonry-diocese/). *Western People*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** McGarry, Patsy (26 March 2021). ["Vatican language on gay blessings 'hurtful', says Ireland's youngest Catholic bishop"](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/vatican-language-on-gay-blessings-hurtful-says-ireland-s-youngest-catholic-bishop-1.4521262). *The Irish Times*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Dodd, Liz; MacDonald, Sarah. ["Priests take aim at 'outdated' CDF on LGBT+ people"](https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/14001/priests-take-aim-at-outdated-cdf-on-lgbt-people). *The Tablet*. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Deering, Paul (24 February 2023). ["Bishop of Achonry says crisis in vocations very real with no ordination in his diocese in ten years"](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/news/bishop-of-achonry-says-crisis-in-vocations-very-real-with-no-ordination-in-his-diocese-in-ten-years/42357722.html). *The Sligo Champion*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Nomina di Vescovo Ausiliare di Dublin (Irlanda)"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/04/10/0288/00616.html#ausiliare) [Appointment of Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin (Ireland)]. *Holy See Press Office* (in Italian). 10 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Mac Donald, Sarah (10 April 2024). ["Pope Francis announces biggest restructuring of the Catholic church in Ireland in 900 years"](https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pope-francis-announces-biggest-restructuring-of-the-catholic-church-in-ireland-in-900-years/a674763480.html). *Irish Independent*. Retrieved 10 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Brady, Chai (10 April 2024). ["Pope announces seismic changes for dioceses in the West not seen for 1,000 years"](https://www.irishcatholic.com/pope-announces-seismic-changes-for-dioceses-in-the-west-not-seen-for-1000-years/). *The Irish Catholic*. Retrieved 10 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Appointment of Bishop Paul Dempsey as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin – Statement of Archbishop Farrell"](https://dublindiocese.ie/appointment-of-bishop-paul-dempsey/). *Archdiocese of Dublin*. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Deering, Paul (10 April 2024). ["Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran to assume additional role in Achonry diocese"](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/news/bishop-of-elphin-kevin-doran-to-assume-additional-role-in-achonry-diocese/a1531899369.html). *The Sligo Champion*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Coppen, Luke (10 April 2024). ["How Pope Francis is reshaping the Church in western Ireland"](https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/how-pope-francis-is-reshaping-the). *The Pillar*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

## External links

- [Bishop Paul Dempsey](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bdempseyp.html) on [Catholic-Hierarchy.org](/source/Catholic-Hierarchy.org)

- [Bishop Paul Dempsey](http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/acho0.htm?tab=bishops#63557) on GCatholic

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 Achonry Andrew Lynch James Ó Fallamháin Louis Dillon Maurice Ó Duarcáin Hugh Mac Diarmata Dominic Ó Dálaigh John Ó hAirt Walter Blake Patrick Robert Kirwan Philip Phillips Boetius Egan Tomás Ó Conchúir Charles Lynagh John O'Flynn Patrick MacNicholas Patrick Durcan Francis McCormack John Lyster Patrick Morrisroe James Fergus Thomas Flynn Brendan Kelly Paul Dempsey

[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)

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