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Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Michael Router as Bishop of Derry
The Diocese of Derry welcomes the appointment of Bishop Michael Router as its new Bishop.
The appointment was announced today by the Holy See. Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Donal McKeown and has appointed Bishop Michael, who has served as Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh since 2019, as the new Bishop of Derry. Bishop Donal will continue as Apostolic Administrator until Bishop Michael's installation in September.
Speaking in St Eugene's Cathedral following the announcement, Bishop Michael described his appointment as "an immense honour" and thanked Pope Leo XIV for the trust placed in him.
Reflecting on his episcopal motto, In Manus Tuas Domine (Into your hands, O Lord), he said it had sustained him throughout his ministry and would continue to guide him as he begins this new chapter in the Diocese of Derry.
Bishop Michael paid tribute to Bishop Donal McKeown for his years of faithful service and leadership, acknowledging the courage and generosity with which he has guided the Diocese through significant change. He also expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Eamon Martin, the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Armagh, and to his family and the many people who helped shape his vocation.
Looking ahead, Bishop Michael spoke openly about both the opportunities and challenges facing the Church in Ireland today. He acknowledged declining numbers of clergy, changing parish structures, the continuing impact of abuse and the need to pass on the faith in an increasingly secular society. Rather than looking back with nostalgia, he said the Church is called to renewal through a deeper relationship with Christ.
A central theme of his address was the importance of synodality. Describing it as more than an administrative process, Bishop Michael said it is "the way in which the Holy Spirit is inviting the Church to renew herself in our times and grow into a deeper relationship with Christ."
He continued:
"Synodality is not primarily about meetings or committees. It is about learning once again to walk, pray, listen and discern together."
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Bishop Michael said he wishes to serve the people of the Diocese by listening with humility, especially to those who have become distant from the Church, those who feel hurt or disappointed, and those searching for meaning. He emphasised that the Church's mission is to deepen communion, encourage participation and lead people into a more authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.
His address also highlighted the Church's responsibility to respond to the challenges facing society. He spoke of the devastating impact of drug and alcohol addiction on individuals, families and communities, called for continued commitment to peace and reconciliation, upheld the dignity of every human life and urged Christians to stand against injustice, inequality and discrimination wherever they are found.
As his first public address to the Diocese concluded, Bishop Michael entrusted his ministry to the Holy Spirit and the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, asking for God's guidance as he begins his service among the people of Derry. He invited everyone present to join him in prayer for the journey ahead.
The priests, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Derry assure Bishop Michael of their prayers as he prepares for his installation in September and look forward to welcoming him as he begins his episcopal ministry among us.
Read Bishop Michael's full statement following his appointment
Read the full statement by Bishop Michael Router following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV as Bishop of Derry, delivered at St Eugene's Cathedral on 16 July 2026.
Bishop Michael Router's Biography
Bishop Michael Router is a native of Virginia in Co Cavan and was born on 15 April 1965. His father and mother are Anthony and Nora Router and he has two sisters, Breda Murphy and Martina Keville.
Bishop Router was educated in Virginia National School and in Kells CBS before entering Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, to study for the priesthood in 1982. In Maynooth he graduated with a Bachelor in Divinity Degree and a Higher Diploma in Education. He was ordained to the diaconate in the Maynooth College Chapel by Bishop Francis McKiernan, the bishop of Kilmore, in 1987, and he was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Kilmore in Saint Matthew's Church, Maghera, in his native parish, on 25 June, 1989.
Bishop Router began his ministry as a curate in the parish of Killinkere and in 1991 he joined the teaching staff of Saint Patrick's College, Cavan. He was appointed Chaplain of Bailieborough Community School in 1996 and Priest in Residence in the Parish of Kilmainhamwood and Moybologue. In 2002/2003 he studied at Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin and assisted during that time in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Drimnagh. He graduated with a Masters in Religion and Education in 2003.
On his return to the Diocese of Kilmore, Bishop Router was appointed the Diocesan Director of Adult Faith Formation and Pastoral Renewal while also serving as a Priest in Residence in the parish of Castletara/Ballyhaise. His role included providing training, encouragement and support for Parish Pastoral Councils, Liturgy Groups, Eucharistic Ministers and Ministers of the Word. He also helped to provide Adult Religious Education courses in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, and in Manorhamilton, which were accredited by the Mater Dei Institute of Education and the Maryvale Institute.
In 2010, in addition to these roles, Bishop Router was appointed director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, and in 2013 he was transferred as Curate to the Cathedral Parish in Cavan with responsibility for the Butlersbridge area. In 2014 he was appointed Parish Priest of Killann Parish, which includes the towns of Bailieborough and Shercock, and as Vicar Forane for the Bailieborough Deanery. He was also a member of the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Kilmore and also chairman of the Diocesan Priests' Council from 2017 to 2019.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh and titular Bishop of Lugmad by Pope Francis on 7 May 2019. In the archdiocese Bishop Router assisted Archbishop Eamon Martin with pastoral and administrative tasks. He chaired the Pastoral Team, directed the national and international synodal process within the archdiocese, culminating in a Diocesan Congress on Youth, Family and Faith last March. Bishop Router also sat on the various administrative committees in the diocese and was a director of the Saint Patrick's Diocesan Trust.
In addition, Bishop Router is chair of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference's Council for Healthcare, Vice President of Accord CLG, Liaison Bishop and Vice Chair of the Irish Bishop's Drugs Initiative, Chair of the Family Addiction Support Network and a member of the Irish Inter-Church Committee, the Commission for Pastoral Care, the board of Towards Healing and the National Synodal Steering Committee.
Coat of Arms
Bishop Michael Router's Episcopal Coat of Arms is in the standard form of cross, shield and galero. The galero is traditionally the broad brimmed hat and tassels worn by a bishop.
The central symbol is the torch representing the flame of faith. This particular torch is a copy of the one Saint Benan holds before Saint Patrick in the stained-glass window by Harry Clarke located in the Honan Chapel in Cork. Saint Benan was one of the earliest disciples of Saint Patrick and he accompanied him on many of his travels around Ireland. Saint Benan established a church in Drumbannon, near Bailieborough in Co Cavan, the parish where, for five years, Father Michael served as Parish Priest.
The flame is a rich symbol representing the light of Christian faith which guides the footsteps of the faithful from birth to death. A lighted candle is handed to the parents of the newly baptised child as the priest prays "May they keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts". The mission of the Christian today is to keep the flame of faith alive in the darkness of evil that threatens our world.
In the top left-hand corner, as you view the crest, the dove represents the Holy Spirit who constantly renews the Church and ignites the flame of faith even in the most difficult of situations. The seven rays which proceed from the head of the dove signify the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgement, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence and Wonder and Awe in God's Presence. The background colour of blue represents the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In the top right hand corner, there is a representation of a yew tree. Father Michael is from Virginia in Co Cavan and the Irish name for the town is Achadh an Iúir meaning the field of the yew tree. The background colours of black and yellow also represent his home place. The yew tree, an evergreen tree noted for its longevity, is a symbol of renewal, regeneration and resurrection.
Bishop Router's episcopal motto In Manus Tuas Domine (Into Your Hands, O Lord) is taken from the Gospel of Luke 23:46.
Source: catholicbishops.ie