Press Releases
24 March 2013 Homily by Bishop Treanor on Palm Sunday
Posted on 25. Mar, 2013
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor Passion Sunday St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast 24 March 2013 I PASSION SUNDAY : GATEWAY TO HOLY WEEK My dear friends in Christ, with Passion Sunday we pass through the gateway into Holy Week. Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, his arrival, hailed as Messiah, will take a turn that will test [...]
19 March 2013 Homily by Bishop Treanor at Mass on Occasion of Installation of Pope Francis
Posted on 25. Mar, 2013
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor - Mass on the Occasion of the Installation of Pope Francis St Peter’s Cathedral Belfast 19 March 2013 I From the ends of the earth In his first comments after his election, Pope Francis commented on how his fellow Cardinals had gone to the end of the world to find [...]
3 March 2013 Statement by NICCOSA on Proposed Amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill (NI)
Posted on 03. Mar, 2013
STATEMENT BY THE NORTHERN IRELAND CATHOLIC COUNCIL ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS (NICCOSA) ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT 11A: ‘ENDING THE LIFE OF AN UNBORN CHILD’, TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL IN NORTHERN IRELAND, 3rd March 2013 *NICCOSA is the Advisory Council on Social Affairs of the Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland. It is chaired by Cardinal [...]
13 February 2013 Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor on Ash Wednesday
Posted on 14. Feb, 2013
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor Ash Wednesday, St Peter’s Cathedral, 13 February 2013 I. Cycles of the liturgical year : Lent engages heart, head and body Lent begins early this year. It follows quickly on the Christmas season. This “quick forward”, as it were, profiles the cyclical nature of the Christian yearly calendar. The [...]
24 January 2013 Address by Bishop Noel Treanor in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Newry
Posted on 25. Jan, 2013
Address given by Bishop Noel Treanor Week of Prayer for Christian Unity St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Newry Thursday, 24 January 2013 I Christ, once met, opens mind and heart The Emmaus story is a perennial. Two disciples walk in the presence of the Risen Jesus, yet “they were kept from recognising him” (Lk [...]
20 January 2013 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Whitehead, Carrickfergus
Posted on 20. Jan, 2013
Homily delivered by Bishop Noel Treanor Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Whitehead Parish of Carrickfergus 20 January 2013 I. The Word of God : overture for the ordinary liturgical season until Lent Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Lk. 3.15-16. 21-22). That feast rounded off the celebration of the [...]
01 January 2013 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor for New Years’s Day
Posted on 01. Jan, 2013
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD NEW YEAR’S DAY – TUESDAY, I JANUARY 2013 GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, ORMEAU ROAD, BELFAST HOLY ROSARY PARISH I New Year’s Day, God’s Word at work through Mary and through us in our time Mary is celebrated as the Mother of God on New Year’s Day. The [...]
31 December 2012 Statement by Bishop Treanor in Response to Recent Attack on PSNI Officer
Posted on 31. Dec, 2012
Statement from Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to the Attack on a PSNI Officer 31 December 2012 The recent attempt made on the life of a police officer over the past weekend at his home is deplorable. This cold act of calculated terror, perpetrated in this Christmas Season of peace and goodwill, put in danger [...]
24 December 2012 Homily of Bishop Treanor at Midnight Christmas Mass
Posted on 24. Dec, 2012
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Midnight Christmas Mass St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast Readings : Is. 9.1-7; Ps 95 ; Tit. 2.11-14; Lk.2.1-14 I. The Liturgy of the Word for the Nativity : a window unto the saving mystery of the Incarnation The Liturgy of the Word on this Christmas night narrates the drama [...]
24 December Homily of Bishop Treanor at the Filipino ‘Misa de Gallo’ Celebration
Posted on 24. Dec, 2012
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor at the ‘Misa de Gallo’ St. VINCENT de PAUL, Ligoniel Parish, Belfast Christmas Eve 2012 Readings 2 Sam 7.1-5, 8-12,14,16 ; Ps 88 2-5, 27, 29; Lk1.67-79 I Thanks for sharing a faith tradition My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as you conclude this novena of Advent Simbang Gabi [...]
19 December 2012 Christmas Message from Bishop Noel Treanor
Posted on 20. Dec, 2012
Christmas Message 2012 The Feast of our Saviour’s birth, Christmas, comes to us year on year, whatever the condition of our personal circumstances. Like most years, 2012 brought its highs and lows. The Olympics and the Paralympics inspired us, strengthened communities and consolidated the human family. The Arab Spring continued to manifest further the [...]
1 November 2012 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to the Murder of David Black
Posted on 01. Nov, 2012
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to the Murder of David Black 1 November 2012 I condemn the vicious and callous murder of David Black, a Prison Officer, carried out this morning as he travelled to work. This brutal and violent attack threatens and undermines the overwhelming commitment of citizens and families within [...]
10 October 2012 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to Marie Stopes Clinic
Posted on 11. Oct, 2012
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to Marie Stopes Clinic, Belfast 10 October 2012 Last Sunday, 7th October, marked the launch of the ‘Choose Life’ appeal by the Catholic Church in Ireland to highlight the dignity and value of human life, especially in its earliest stages. As a Christian community and as citizens, not [...]
11 September 2012 Clarification Statement from Bishop Noel Treanor
Posted on 11. Sep, 2012
Clarification Statement from Bishop Noel Treanor 11 September 2012 I wish to clarify a number of misrepresentations in recent coverage regarding myself and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Safeguarding Board for Children in the Catholic Church: Most importantly at no time did I act to hinder or interfere with the work [...]
8 September 2012 Statement from Bishop Treanor to Sunday Times
Posted on 09. Sep, 2012
Statement issued by Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor to Sunday Times 8 September 2012 My overriding concern as Bishop of Down and Connor is and will continue to be the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in both the diocese and throughout Ireland. We all have a duty as professionals in this field [...]
31 August 2012 Clerical Appointments for Down and Connor
Posted on 03. Sep, 2012
DOWN AND CONNOR CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS August 2012 Having considered the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese, Bishop Noel Treanor has made the following appointments which will take effect as of the weekend of 8/9 September 2012 : Fr Aidan Kerr PP Glenarm, to be PP Larne, covering Glenarm and Larne pastoral area [...]
28 August 2012 Statement of Bishop Noel Treanor on Closure of the Poor Clare Monastery
Posted on 28. Aug, 2012
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on Closure of Poor Clare Monastery 28 August 2012 I pay tribute today to the Poor Clare Sisters who take leave of their monastery after 88 years of dedicated service to the local community, the city of Belfast and the Church. The Sisters leave behind an invaluable legacy of prayerful [...]
26 August 2012 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor concerning Parade
Posted on 26. Aug, 2012
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor regarding the Royal Black Preceptory Parade in front of St Patrick’s Church on Saturday 25th August I am certain that, with me, the vast majority of citizens across all traditions in Northern Ireland will have been appalled by the provocative sectarianism and insulting behaviour of some participants in [...]
8 July 2012 Homily by Bishop Treanor at the Ordination of Rev Conor McGrath
Posted on 09. Jul, 2012
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor on the Ordination of Rev Conor McGrath St Bernard’s Church, Glengormley Sunday, 8 July 2012 Conor, we gather with you on this Sunday, the domenica, the Lord’s Day, when you are to be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of humankind. All gathered here in your native [...]
18 April 2012 Update on Work in Milltown Cemetery
Posted on 18. Apr, 2012
Statement issued on behalf of the Trustees of Milltown Cemetery and the Diocese of Down & Connor regarding Remedial Works at Milltown Cemetery 18 April 2012 The Diocese appreciates the very sensitive nature of the essential works at Milltown cemetery and the extreme upset that they may cause to the families of all [...]
15 April 2012 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Requiem for Lost Souls of Titanic
Posted on 15. Apr, 2012
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor on the occasion of performance of Philip Hammond’s Requiem for the Lost Souls of the Titanic St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast Second Sunday of Easter 15 April 2012 My dear friends, I welcome you all to the celebration of this Requiem for the Lost Souls of the Titanic on the octave of [...]
7 April 2012 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Easter Vigil
Posted on 07. Apr, 2012
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Easter Vigil St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast 7 APRIL 2012 The sacred rites of this Paschal or Easter Vigil transport us from darkness to light. They move us from the bareness, from our intimated desolation of the death of God, from sombre silence of yesterday, Good Friday, [...]
5 April 2012 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Chrism Mass
Posted on 05. Apr, 2012
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Chrism Mass HOLY THURSDAY ST PETER’S CATHEDRAL, BELFAST 5 APRIL 2012 Recognition, celebration and appreciation of the gift of the priesthood of Jesus Christ is the heart of the liturgy of the Chrism Mass. Cherishing the priesthood is the mission that is given to us all – [...]
22 March 2012 Statement by Trustees of Milltown Cemetery
Posted on 22. Mar, 2012
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MILLTOWN CEMETERY 22 March 2012 The administrator of Milltown Cemetery, Fr Martin Graham confirmed that works would begin on Monday (26th March 2012) to restore a small strip of land (approximately 6 acres) that the Diocese recently bought back from the Ulster Wildlife Trust on the border of the [...]
29 January 2012 Pastoral Letters to Primary and Post Primary Schools
Posted on 29. Jan, 2012
Pastoral Letters to Primary and Post-Primary Schools ‘Catholic Schools: Christ’s living body active in our world.’ Catholic Schools’ Week 2012 To mark Catholic Schools’ Week 2012, Bishop Noel Treanor has issued the following pastoral letters to primary and post-primary schools. (Click images below to download). The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is ‘Catholic Schools: [...]
01 January 2012 Homily of Bishop McKeown on World Day of Peace
Posted on 03. Jan, 2012
World Day of Peace 2012 Theme: Educating Young people in Justice and Peace Bishop Donal McKeown St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick Despite all sorts of depressing news, people have an ability to bounce back and to hope for better in the future. We came through terrible years in NI. After the St Stephen’s Day fire [...]
01 January 2012 Diocesan Statement on Restoration of Fr Sean Cahill to Ministry
Posted on 01. Jan, 2012
Fr Sean Cahill, Priest of the Diocese of Down and Connor Restored to Full Priestly Ministry Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor St Malachy’s Church, Castlewellan Sunday, 1 January 2012 Feast of Mary, Holy Mother of God I am delighted to be here today to welcome Fr Sean Cahill back to ministry in [...]
23 December 2011 Christmas Message from Bishop Treanor
Posted on 23. Dec, 2011
Christmas Message by Bishop Noel Treanor 23 December 2011 The Nativity, the birth of Christ, the Son of God as a human person, to a woman, Mary, is the focus of our Christmas celebrations. In our homes, schools and Churches, the Nativity scene is at the heart of these celebrations. At the centre of the [...]
07 December 2011 Homily at Funeral of Canon Joseph Cunningham by Bishop Farquhar
Posted on 07. Dec, 2011
Funeral Homily for Canon Joseph Cunningham By Bishop Anthony Farquhar 07/12/11 Parish of Lisburn Ten days ago, the parish Church of St. Teresa’s was re-opened after renovations. The Octave of parish celebrations concluded last Sunday afternoon with a Mass for the Sick at which I officiated. I spoke of Pope Benedict’s address to young [...]
30 November 2011 Statement by Trustees of Milltown and NAC
Posted on 30. Nov, 2011
Joint Press Release by Trustees of Milltown Cemetery and Northern Archeological Consultancy Ltd. 30th November 2011 Investigation of Geophysical Anomalies Milltown Cemetery Belfast Background In spring and early summer 2011, on the instructions of Father Martin Graham and on behalf of The Milltown Cemetery Trustees, a non-intrusive geophysical investigation was carried out by RSK [...]
26 November 2011 Opening Address by Bishop Treanor
Posted on 28. Nov, 2011
Opening address by Bishop Noel Treanor, Chair of the Episcopal Commission for International and Social Issues The annual joint meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Council for Justice and Peace with the Northern Ireland Catholic Council for Social Affairs took place in the Ballymascanlon House Hotel near Dundalk, Co Louth, on 26 November 2011. [...]
3 November 2011 Living Church Report
Posted on 03. Nov, 2011
Download the Living Church Report Living Church Report The Living Church Report, launched by Bishop Noel Treanor today, November 3rd, 2011, on the Feast of St. Malachy, is the fruit of a long process of listening in the Diocese of Down and Connor. The Listening Process In 2010 there were Listening Events for the [...]
31 October 2011 – Review of Cases of Clerical Abuse
Posted on 31. Oct, 2011
Letter from Bishop Noel Treanor to the Diocese of Down and Connor – Independent Review of Cases of Alleged Clerical Abuse in Down and Connor Download a Summary of the Safeguarding Review As you know, the Diocese has made a massive effort over the past decade to strengthen and professionalise its [...]
29 October 2011 Down and Connor Clerical Appointments
Posted on 29. Oct, 2011
Down and Connor Diocesan Appointments Having considered the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese, Bishop Noel Treanor has made the following appointments, effective from 14th November 2011: Very Rev Daniel Whyte PP, St Mary’s on the Hill, has retired and will assist, when available, in North Down and Ards. Very Rev [...]
12 August 2011 Letter to Pilgrims attending World Youth Day 2011
Posted on 11. Aug, 2011
12th August 2011 TO THE PILGRIMS TO THE WORLD YOUTH DAY IN MADRID Dear Young Pilgrims from Down and Connor, We greet you as you start on your journey of faith to meet the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and the many other young people of faith at [...]
22 July 2011 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on the Cloyne Report
Posted on 22. Jul, 2011
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on the Cloyne Report 22 July 2011 I am shocked and devastated by the content of the Cloyne report and by the failure to implement the basic national guidelines imposed by the Church within that diocese. Let me state once again that the protection of and [...]
13 July 2011 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to Publication of Cloyne Report
Posted on 13. Jul, 2011
STATEMENT BY BISHOP NOEL TREANOR IN RESPONSE TO PUBLICATION OF THE CLOYNE REPORT 13 July 2011 We in Down and Connor acknowledge the publication this afternoon of the report into the abuse of children in the Diocese of Cloyne reflecting the failure to protect the most innocent in our society. No words of [...]
10 July 2011 Statement by Bishop Treanor – Violence Wrecks Our Tomorrow
Posted on 10. Jul, 2011
STATEMENT BY MOST REV. NOEL TREANOR BISHOP OF DOWN & CONNOR Sunday 10th July 2011 VIOLENCE WRECKS OUR TOMORROW AS A CITIZEN AND AS BISHOP OF DOWN AND CONNOR, I ASK ALL FELLOW CITIZENS AND CHRISTIANS ON THE TWELFTH OF JULY AND IN THE DAYS AHEAD TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT [...]
26 June 2011 Homily of Bishop Treanor at Reception of IEC2012 Congress Candle
Posted on 26. Jun, 2011
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor at the Reception of the IEC2012 Candle Marking the Inauguration of the Year leading up to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (2012) St. Peter's Cathedral, Belfast 26th June 2011 Feast of Corpus Christi Here in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, we receive this candle stamped [...]
12 June 2011 Homily of Bishop Treanor at St Patrick’s Mountain
Posted on 12. Jun, 2011
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Diocesan Pilgrimage to St Patrick's Mountain, Saul Pentecost Sunday 2011 Gathered on this St Patrick’s mountain at Saul on Pentecost Sunday, we stand in the centuries-long process of proposing the Christian faith and also in the process of its reception by [...]
12 June 2011 Homily of Bishop Treanor on the Feast of Pentecost
Posted on 12. Jun, 2011
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor on the Feast of Pentecost St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast 12 June 2011 Readings: Acts 2.1-11; Ps 103; 1 Cor. 12.3b-7; Jn 20.19-23 The Pentecost scene, described in the lines from the Acts of the Apostles Ch 1, pulsates with commotion. This energy, exuberance, human [...]
12 June 2011 Homily of Bishop Donal McKeown at Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock
Posted on 12. Jun, 2011
Homily of Bishop Donal McKeown for the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Marian of Shrine of Knock Pentecost is the last of the great rollercoaster of liturgical celebration s that, during the last 56 days, have brought the apostles – and us – from Jesus’ apparent triumph on Palm Sunday, through the horrors [...]
12 June 2011 Letter from Bishop Treanor to Parishioners on Safeguarding Children
Posted on 12. Jun, 2011
CHILD SAFEGUARDING Letter from Bishop Noel Treanor to the People of Down and Connor You will have noted recent negative reports in the media suggesting that the work done to improve safeguarding for our children in the Church has not been enough and that the Church has not learned the lessons of [...]
26 May 2011 Personal Reflection by Bishop McKeown on Visit of Queen Elizabeth II
Posted on 26. May, 2011
Bishop McKeown's Personal Reflection on the Visit of Queen Elizabeth II 26th May 2011 For decades the narrative about Northern Ireland has been that it was an incomprehensible medieval conflict between the two warring groups – the Catholic tribe and the Protestant tribe. Foreign media reports were laced with references to religious fanatics attacking each other. The North, [...]
15 May 2011 Pastoral Letter from Bishop Noel Treanor
Posted on 15. May, 2011
'BEYOND HUMAN WORDS' Celebrating the Mysteries of Faith A Pastoral Letter to welcome the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal ~~~Summary of Pastoral Letter~~~ My Dear People, Priests and Religious, The words we say and hear at Mass will soon be changing. There are not [...]
23 April 2011 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Easter Vigil
Posted on 23. Apr, 2011
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Easter Vigil St. Peter's Cathedral 23rd April 2011 My dear friends in the Risen Christ, the powerful liturgy of the Easter Vigil speaks directly to us. The dramatic force of the Easter Fire ablaze in the darkness of the night sparkles with the ever [...]
21 April 2011 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Chrism Mass
Posted on 21. Apr, 2011
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Chrism Mass Holy Thursday St. Peter's Cathedral 21st April 2011 “Let the splendour of holiness shine on the world from every place and thing signed with this oil” : this will be our prayer when we come to consecrate the Holy Chrism. On this Holy Thursday [...]
9 March 2011 Homily of Bishop McKeown for Ash Wednesday
Posted on 09. Mar, 2011
Homily of Bishop Donal McKeown for Ash Wednesday 2011 Lent is a call to renewal, personal and communal through prayer, penance and generosity. We have all got much to repent of in terms of how we could be disciples of the Jesus who asks us to walk with Him – Bishop McKeown The following homily was [...]
8 March 2011 Reflection on Lent by Bishop Donal McKeown
Posted on 08. Mar, 2011
Reflection for Lent 2011 by Bishop Donal McKeown Lent says that I can become master of myself and not a slave to someone else’s agenda – Bishop McKeown Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, is the beginning of Lent. Why celebrate Lent in 2011? Lent should not be about satisfying a tendency towards masochism or self-righteousness, if its primary [...]
10 February 2011 Joint Statement from Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Noel Treanor in Response to Plane Crash in Cork Airport
Posted on 10. Feb, 2011
Joint statement from Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Noel Treanor following plane crash in Cork Airport Bishop John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross and Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, have called for prayers for those who were killed and injured in the plane crash at Cork airport this morning: "We express our deepest [...]
24 January 2011 Address by Bishop Donal McKeown at Launch of Catholic Schools Week
Posted on 24. Jan, 2011
Address by Bishop Donal McKeown at launch of Northern Ireland Catholic Schools Week 2011, Holy Cross College, Strabane Catholic Schools – Rooted in Jesus Christ Schools are very busy and pressurised places. There are so many deadlines to meet, so much material to cover, so many meetings to attend. But Catholic Schools Week is [...]
18 January 2011 Listening Process in Down and Connor
Posted on 24. Jan, 2011
LISTENING PROCESS IN DOWN AND CONNOR Letter of Invitation from Bishop Noel Treanor to the People of the Diocese O that today you would listen to His voice Harden not your hearts (Ps 95 : 7- 8 ) My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The history of the [...]
15 January 2011 Down and Connor Appointments
Posted on 15. Jan, 2011
15th January 2011 Down and Connor Diocesan Appointments Having considered the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese, Bishop Noel Treanor has made the following appointments: Very Rev John Murray PP St Luke’s to be PP St Michael the Archangel; Rev Brian McCann CC St Paul’s to be PP St Luke’s; Rev [...]
01 January 2011 New Year’s Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor
Posted on 05. Jan, 2011
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor on the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and World Peace Day New Years Day – 01 January 2011 Readings : Numbers 6.22-27; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.16-21 ———————————————————————————- This eighth and closing day of the Octave of Christmas launches us into the New Year. In [...]
31 December 2010 New Year Message by Bishop Donal McKeown
Posted on 31. Dec, 2010
New Year 2011 Message by Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down & Connor At the start of 2011, there is a lot of anger and fear around. In some quarters there is more talk of revolutions than of resolutions. As we step into the second decade of the 21st century, all Christian churches [...]
24 December 2010 Christmas Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor
Posted on 24. Dec, 2010
Christmas Homily 2010 by Most Rev Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor Midnight Mass St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast I welcome you one and all to the Christmas midnight liturgy. I welcome all the children, the young girls and boys, who have come to the Cathedral on this Christmas night. I welcome all [...]
22 December 2010 Christmas Reflection 2010 by Bishop Noel Treanor
Posted on 22. Dec, 2010
A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION 2010 EMMANUEL: GOD WITH US THROUGH THICK AND THIN by Bishop Noel Treanor Unfathomable Mystery: God born as a human child. The babe, Jesus of Nazareth, nestling in the security of parental love. Those parents painfully aware of their poverty and their insecurity. Soon they would have to [...]
21 December 2010 Christmas Reflection 2010 by Bishop McKeown
Posted on 21. Dec, 2010
Christmas Reflection from Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor Peace on earth, Goodwill to all! The Christmas message may sound a bit hollow this year. We live in a hurting country. Vox pops seem able to reflect mainly anger, pain and criticism. It is not without good reason that leaders at [...]
17 December 2010 Words of Bishop McKeown at Funeral of Peter Wilson
Posted on 17. Dec, 2010
Words of Bishop Donal McKeown delivered at the end of the funeral Mass for Peter Wilson RIP Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne Funerals are never happy occasions but this is a day that many people in the Wilson extended family have, in a strange way, been looking forward to. And many other people are glad for [...]
9 December 2010 Reflections on Advent 2010 by Bishop McKeown
Posted on 09. Dec, 2010
Reflections on Advent 2010 Bishop Donal McKeown Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor The weeks of Advent were never easy for anybody – neither for busy parents, schools or businesses, nor for those who dread the thought of a lonely, joyless Christmas. And this year it is a particularly difficult Advent for many. It [...]
1 December 2010 Challenging Poverty in Northern Ireland
Posted on 01. Dec, 2010
Download a copy of the document "Challenging Poverty in Northern Ireland" ‘Challenging Poverty in Northern Ireland’ Address by Most Rev. Noel Treanor DD Bishop of Down & Connor at the Launch of the document "Challenging Poverty in Northern Ireland" by the Northern Ireland Catholic Council for Social Affairs [...]
22 October 2010 Address Delivered by Bishop Donal McKeown at Inter-Church Meeting
Posted on 22. Oct, 2010
'The Role of the Churches in Education' Address by Bishop Donal McKeown at Inter-Church Meeting 22nd October 2010 This is very propitious time for a serious conference on the topic – or perhaps, on the topics – which come under the role of the Churches in education, both North and South. So I greatly [...]
17 October 2010 Statement by Bishop McKeown in Response to Comments on Diversity of Education Provision
Posted on 17. Oct, 2010
Statement by Bishop Donal McKeown in response to recent comments on diversity of education provision in Northern Ireland 17th October 2010 "The ongoing debate concerning diversity of education provision in Northern Ireland requires recognition of the fundamental right of parents in the choice of faith-based education for their child," according to Bishop Donal McKeown, [...]
10 October 2010 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Thanksgiving Mass for Teresian Association
Posted on 13. Oct, 2010
TERESIAN ASSOCIATION FIFTY YEARS IN IRELAND 1960 – 2010 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at Thanksgiving Mass SACRED HEART CHURCH DONNYBROOK, DUBLIN SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER 2010 READINGS : Jer 1.4-9; Eph, 3.14-21; Mt. 5.13-16 ———————————————————————————————————————————– Just a few months before the launch of the centenary year of the Teresian Association (1911-2011), we gather [...]
2 August 2010 Down and Connor Diocesan Appointments
Posted on 03. Aug, 2010
Having considered the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese and the availability of priests, Bishop Treanor has made the following appointments, with effect from Thursday 12th August: Very Rev Paul Alexander, PP St Vincent De Paul Ligoniel to be PP Saul and Ballee Rev Paul Byrne, CC St Mary’s [...]
30 July 2010 Statement of Bishop Noel Treanor to Families of Victims of the Ballymurphy Killings in 1971
Posted on 30. Jul, 2010
STATEMENT BY MOST REV NOEL TREANOR, BISHOP OF DOWN & CONNOR On the handing over Church archive documents to the families of those killed and injured by the British Army in Ballymurphy between 9-11 August 1971 St. Mary’s University College, Belfast Friday 30 July 2010 I am here today [...]
25 July 2010 Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor at the Ordination of the Bishop of Clogher
Posted on 25. Jul, 2010
Homily of Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, for the ordination of Right Reverend Monsignor Liam MacDaid as Bishop of Clogher – Sunday 25 July Readings : Is 61:1-3; Ps 39 ; 2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14, Mt 20:20-28 You have just heard, Fr Liam, that fulsome assent to your election as [...]
18 July 2010 Homily of Bishop McKeown for the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association National Pilgrimage to Knock
Posted on 18. Jul, 2010
Homily of Bishop Donal McKeown for the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association National Pilgrimage to Knock, Sunday 18 July 2010 It is now 112 years since the foundation of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in 1898. The message then was welcome and unwelcome in equal measure. It was praised by many as a [...]
9 July 2010 Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on Parade through Ardoyne Area
Posted on 09. Jul, 2010
Statement by Bishop Noel Treanor on the parade through the Ardoyne area, Belfast on Monday 12 July 2010 The following statement from Most Rev. Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, will be read in the Parish of Holy Cross, Ardoyne at the evening Vigil Mass on Saturday 10 July and at all [...]
4 July 2010 Homily of Bishop McKeown at Mass for Feast of St Oliver Plunkett
Posted on 04. Jul, 2010
Homily of Bishop Donal McKeown at Mass to celebrate the Festival Day of St Oliver Plunkett in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Sunday 4th July 2010 "…the real tragedy of the current situation regarding historical child abuse in Ireland would be to let the idea go out that if Ireland kicked the Church [...]
26 June 2010 Homily of Bishop Treanor at XII Columbanian Festival, Bangor
Posted on 26. Jun, 2010
Homily by Dr. Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, at the XII Annual Columbanian Festival, St. Comgall's Church, Bangor Saturday 26th June 2010 Readings : Is 57.7-10; Lk 9.57-62 ————————————————————————————————————————————– My dear friends in Jesus Christ, some 1419 years after the departure of St Colombanus on his peregrinatio pro Christo from Bangor [...]
7 May 2010 Press Statement on Milltown Cemetery
Posted on 07. May, 2010
Joint Press Statement on behalf of the Ulster Wildlife Trust and the Trustees of Milltown Cemetery Friday 7th May 2010 The Trustees of Milltown Cemetery and the Ulster Wildlife Trust have reached an agreement about the return of the disputed land between the Bog Meadows and Milltown. It is envisaged that the legal formalities [...]
5 May 2010 Homily by Bishop Treanor at Annual 1916 Commemoration Mass
Posted on 05. May, 2010
Homily by Dr. Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, at the Annual 1916 Commemoration Mass Church of the Most Sacred Heart, Arbour Hill, Dublin Wednesday 5th May 2010 SCRIPTURE READINGS : Rom. 8.31-35, 37-39 ; Ps 22 ; Lk. 10.1-9 —————————————————————————————————————- We have just listened to readings from the Word of God, [...]
27 April 2010 Address by Cardinal Godfried Danneels
Posted on 27. Apr, 2010
"Being a Priest in 2010" Address by Cardinal Godfried Danneels at the Clergy Conference on 27th April 2010 Priests are having a hard time these days. You hear it everywhere. But before we get into the problems and difficulties, I would like to look at the joys of being a priest in the [...]
18 April 2010 Homily of Bishop McKeown – Year For Priests
Posted on 18. Apr, 2010
Homily of Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, Sunday 18 April 2010 at St John the Baptist Church, Drumcree, Archdiocese of Armagh – Year for Priests I thank the local branch of St Joseph’s Young Priests Society for inviting me to celebrate Mass as part of your focus this weekend on [...]
4 April 2010 Homily of Bishop Treanor at Mass on Easter Morning
Posted on 04. Apr, 2010
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor delivered on Easter Sunday Morning St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast 04 APRIL 2010 BIBLICAL READINGS : Acts 10.34.37-43; Ps117; 1 Cor 5.6-8; Jn.20.1-9 ———————————————————————————————— My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, these readings from the Word of God vibrate with the energy of new found faith in [...]
3 April 2010 Homily by Bishop Treanor at Easter Vigil Mass
Posted on 03. Apr, 2010
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor delivered at Easter Vigil Mass St. Peter's Cathedral, Belfast 3rd April 2010 __________________________________________________________________________________ My dear sisters and brothers in the Risen Christ, gathered here, and joining with us via radio, television and by streaming, we have recalled through word, ritual and symbol the mystery of salvation. With the prayers, [...]
2 April 2010 Homily by Bishop Treanor on Good Friday
Posted on 02. Apr, 2010
Homily delivered by Bishop Noel Treanor on Good Friday in St. Peter's Cathedral 2nd April 2010 Readings : Is.52.13 – 53.12; Ps 30; Jn 18.1-19.42 _________________________________________________________ My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, gathered here in St Peter’s Cathedral and those of you joining us via television and radio, the Good [...]
1 April 2010 Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor at Chrism Mass
Posted on 01. Apr, 2010
Homily delivered by Bishop Noel Treanor at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday 1 April 2010 READINGS : Is. 61.1-3,8-9; Ps 88; Apoc. 1.5-8; Lk 4.16-21 _________________________________________________________________________________ We gather in our Cathedral this morning to celebrate the gift of the priesthood in the life of the Church and to bless the Holy Oil [...]
28 March 2010 Opening of St. Patrick’s Church, Bryansford
Posted on 28. Mar, 2010
Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Reverend Noel Treanor, solemnly re-opened St Patrick’s Church, Bryansford (Parish of Newcastle), on Sunday 28th March 2010 at 10am. Bishop Treanor’s homily follows: “For at least 250 years our forefathers have celebrated Palm Sunday in this place. According to Fr. James O’Laverty[1], Mass was celebrated in a [...]
1 February 2010 Extracts from the Annual St Brigid’s Day Lecture
Posted on 23. Mar, 2010
“A World without a Father” Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor “…I want to reflect with you this evening on the absence of meaning in our culture and how we might begin to restore it. The Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber, distinguishes between ‘epochs of habitation’ and ‘epochs of homelessness’. He writes: In the former, man lives [...]
Press Statement on Pre-Signed Mass Cards
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010
The practice of having Mass offered for a deceased person is a praiseworthy tradition in the Catholic Church which manifests the centrality of the Eucharist in our faith. It responds to the scriptural invitation to pray for our dead as well as extending prayerful support to those grieving the death of a loved [...]
22 January 2010 Down and Connor Diocesan Collection for the People of Haiti
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010
22nd January 2010 In recent days, we have all been moved and shocked by the scenes of tragedy, the loss of life and the scale of devastation in Haiti. The horror of this destruction and human suffering has left the people in this country traumatised and in urgent need of assistance. Many people [...]
19 January 2010 Public Meeting of the Trustees of Milltown Cemetery with Families
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010
As part of an ongoing process of consultation, the representative of the Trustees of Milltown Cemetery attended a public meeting yesterday evening, Tuesday 19th January 2010, to participate in, view and join in discussion of possible proposed plans for the Commemorative Garden in Milltown Cemetery. At this meeting, two options were presented and [...]
8 January 2010 Press Release in Response to Attack on Police Officer
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010
January 8th 2010 On behalf of Bishop Treanor and ourselves, we condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s attack on a young police officer near Randalstown. Such an attack is totally alien to the widespread desire, hope and prayer for a stable and peaceful society. We assure him, his wife and [...]
Homily by Bishop Noel Treanor at the Requiem Mass for Cahal Brendan Cardinal Daly, R.I.P.
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010
The three passages from Sacred Scripture, constituting the liturgy of the Word in this Requiem Mass for Cahal Cardinal Daly, capture something of the core of this manifold man as scholar, priest, pastor and bishop. The verses from the book of Wisdom ch. 13, recall our deceased brother’s passionate desire to seek and [...]
Press Statement by Dr Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor upon the Death of His Eminence Cahal Brendan Daly Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Armagh
Posted on 19. Mar, 2010
“His Eminence, Cardinal Cahal Brendan Daly, aged 92 years, died earlier this evening in the City Hospital, Belfast in the company of his immediate family and friends. Together with the Auxiliary Bishops Anthony Farquhar and Donal McKeown and Bishop Emeritus Patrick Walsh, I express my sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of [...]
23 December 2009 A Christmas Reflection by Dr. Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor
Posted on 19. Mar, 2010
23rd December ‘09 ‘DIVINE MYSTERY IN A MANGER’ A Christmas Reflection by Dr. Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger” (Luke 2:7) Your name, Christ-child in the manger, God incarnate, is almost unspeakable: such is the divine mystery incarnated in your flesh [...]