The Holy Father has appointed Msgr. Noel Treanor as Bishop the diocese of Down and Connor in Ireland.  The bishop-elect currently serves as the Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Community.

Msgr. Treanor, was born in Silverstream, Ireland in 1950 and ordained a priest in 1976.  He will become the 32nd bishop of the diocese on Sunday June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

The bishop-elect will succeed Bishop Patrick Walsh who submitted his resignation in 2006 upon reaching the age of 75. 

The bishop-elect will serve 321,021 Catholics and 243 priests.