Scottish Catholic Observer

The newly-ordained coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh has urged Catholics to bear witness to their Faith in their everyday lives.

Coadjutor Archbishop Éamon Martin, 52, who will assist and eventually succeed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Seán Brady when he retires, also urged more men and women to take up vocations during his Episcopal ordination in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday afternoon, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

“Sing the new song unto the Lord with your hearts and your lives by witnessing to Christ in your families and workplaces and in the new mission fields of media, culture, business and politics,” coadjutor Archbishop Martin said.

“Of course there are some who will not want to listen. There are others too who have been so hurt and betrayed in the past, that understandably they find themselves unable to trust our message.

“That is why we must continue, as Pope Benedict XVI exhorted us in his letter, ‘to reflect on the wounds inflicted on Christ’s body,’ and persevere in our efforts to bind those wounds and heal them.”

During the ceremony, the new coadjutor archbishop, who is one of a family of 12, greeted his mother Catherine and expressed his sadness at leaving his former diocese in Derry where he was a diocesan administrator.

“I feel a whole mixture of emotions about this new calling in my life—excitement, nervousness, a sense of my unworthiness and inadequacy, but your prayers, good wishes and generosity have lifted me up,” he said.

“Since the announcement of my appointment in January, I’ve been simply overwhelmed by so many messages of encouragement.”

The new cross and ring that the former teacher will wear as coadjutor archbishop bear a strong family connection. The items were made in his native city by Fallers jewellers.

Cardinal Brady was chief celebrant for the ordination Mass and preached the homily. The ordaining bishops were Cardinal Brady; Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic nuncio to Ireland; and Bishop Gerard Clifford, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Armagh.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the Justice Minister David Ford were among those in attendance at the ordination.