The Episcopal Ordination of Very Rev Denis Nulty Diocese of Kildare And

the episcopal ordination of very rev denis nulty diocese of kildare and leighlin sunday 4th august 2013 the episcopal ordination of very rev denis nulty as bishop of kildare & leighlin Most Rev Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin assisted by His Excellency Most Rev Charles Brown Papal Nuncio to Ireland and Most Rev Michael Smith Bishop of Meath Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow Our ceremony today is being recorded Sunday 4th August 2013 with the help of Irish Dominican students and streamed live on the internet via iCatholic.ie Feast of St John Vianney This broadcast has been co-sponsored by the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin and the Diocese of Meath. Front Cover: Detail from Stained Glass Window, Carlow Cathedral. Inside Cover: Front elevation of Carlow Cathedral. 3 Episcopal Crest and Motto Very Rev Denis Nulty Denis Nulty was born in Slane, County Meath on 7 June 1963 to parents Den Nulty and Nan Balfe. He is the youngest of five children, with two brothers and two sisters. The family farm was the home where Denis and his siblings were reared. He attended Primary School at Saint Patrick’s National School, Slane and Secondary School at Saint Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, completing the Leaving Certificate exam in 1981. The Episcopal coat of arms chosen by Father Nulty is in the standard form of cross, shield and galero. The galero is traditionally the broad brimmed hat Denis entered the seminary at and tassels which signify the user’s place in the hierarchy. Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth in September 1981, completing At the base of the shield is a Vert (green) hill with a fire on top. Father a BA in 1984 and a BD in 1987. Denis is a native of Slane in County Meath, a place well known for the He was ordained a Priest for lighting of the Paschal Fire by Saint Patrick on the hill at Easter. the Diocese of Meath in Saint Patrick’s Church, Slane on 12 June 1988 by Above the hill is an Azure ground. Having been born and raised close to Bishop Michael Smith in the presence of Bishop John McCormack. the Boyne at Slane and having served as Parish Priest in Drogheda along the In September 1988 Bishop Smith appointed Father Denis as Curate in the mouth of the Boyne, it is hardly surprising that rivers would feature here on Cathedral Parish at Mullingar where he served for ten years until 1998. In the shield. August 1998 Bishop Smith appointed Father Denis as Parish Priest of Saint Father Denis in recalling the origins of the faith in Ireland on Slane, wanted Mary’s, Drogheda where he remained up until his Episcopal appointment to also to include the other great symbol of the faith in Ireland with the Cross Kildare & Leighlin. of Saint Brigid of Kildare in Or (gold) on the left side. In 2006 Father Denis followed a course of study in All Hallows College, On the right side of the shield is a Silver Fleur-de-Lys. As an ancient Dublin, leading to an MA in Management for the Pastoral and Voluntary Christian symbol it represents purity, and therefore in turn the Virgin Mary. Services being awarded by DCU. The colours in the shield signify the virtues and gifts that Father Denis In September 2006 Bishop Smith appointed Father Denis as Vicar Forane hopes for himself in his Episcopal ministry and virtues he will endeavour to for the Duleek Deanery which comprises seven parishes. Father Denis has spread to all in his pastoral care. been Chairperson of the Council of Priests in the Diocese of Meath for the Silver / White – Argent: Signifies truth, sincerity, peace, innocence and purity. past eight years. Gold – Or: Signifies wisdom, generosity, glory, constancy and faith. Green – Vert: Signifies abundance, joy, hope and loyalty in love. Blue – Azure: Signifies loyalty, chastity, truth, strength and faith. His Episcopal motto - ‘Serve the Lord with Gladness’ is taken from Psalm 100. 5 Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin The originally independent dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin were united in 1678 on the recommendation of the Primate Oliver Plunkett. Kildare took its origin from the monastic settlement established by St. Brigid in the fifth century. Conleth of Old Connell was its first Bishop, appointed about 490. Their respective feast days are celebrated on 1st February and 4th May. Laserian is regarded as founder and patron of Leighlin. He was instrumental in having the Irish Church adopt the Roman method of calculating the date of Easter. He died about 639 and his feast day is celebrated on 18th April. Carlow Cathedral The foundation stone for the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow was laid by Bishop James Doyle (J.K.L.) on March 18th 1828. It was completed in 1833 at a cost of £9,000. Designed by Thomas Cobden, the Cathedral is a handsome mixture of the gothic revival styles and has a tower of 151ft. In 1837 John Hogan won the commission for the memorial to Bishop Doyle. The work was finished in Rome in 1839. It was brought to Ireland and exhibited in the Royal Exchange in Dublin before it was placed in the Cathedral. Following a programme of refurbishment conducted under architect Richard Pierce, the Cathedral was rededicated on June 22nd 1997 in a ceremony performed by Bishop Laurence Ryan. In 2010 a major restoration of the Cathedral organ with its 2,300 pipes was completed. The frame was completely rebuilt with American poplar, while the organ case itself has been lovingly crafted out of European oak. The front pipes of the organ are gilded in gold leaf, the internals totally restored and only glues and materials that would have been used in the 1800’s were employed. JKL Statue by John Hogan, Carlow Cathedral. 6 An overview of the Rite of Ordination Book of the Gospels This is a joyful day in the life of the Church of Kildare and Leighlin. We Bishop Denis is then presented with the Book of the Gospels. As bishop, he is gather as a diocese, united with the universal Church, to celebrate the to break open the word of God, to announce Christ with courage, and to ordination of our new bishop. We pray and rejoice that the Spirit of God defend the faith against error. Bishop Denis also has the task of reaching will be given in abundance to Very Rev. Denis Nulty. out with God’s Word to people who do not believe in Christ. Preparatory actions Investiture with Ring, Mitre and Crozier In this rite we encounter some of the most ancient words and actions of The Investiture with Ring, Mitre and Crozier follows. These are symbols of a the Church. It begins with a number of what can be called preparatory actions, bishop’s ministry. The ring symbolises the bishop’s nuptial bond with the including the Presentation of the Candidate on behalf of the Church in Kildare Church. The mitre signifies the Church’s commission to pursue holiness and Leighlin for ordination as Bishop, the Reading of the Apostolic Letter, the while the crozier illustrates the pastoral ministry of bishop as ‘shepherd of official document from Pope Francis mandating this ordination, and the the flock’. They are brought forward by Bishop Jim Moriarty and members Consent of the People. of Bishop Denis’ family. The Homily is followed by an Examination of the Candidate during which he Seating of the bishop is questioned on his resolve to uphold the Church’s faith and to discharge It is now that our new bishop takes his place in the Cathedral with the Seating the duties of bishop faithfully. Having prayed for the bishop elect the of the Bishop on the Cathedra. This is one of the many special moments of this congregation then joins their prayer for him with those of the Saints in liturgy; for this is the seat of Bishop Denis’ episcopal ministry. It is the sign heaven as the Litany of the Saints is sung. of his teaching office and pastoral authority in the Diocese of Kildare and Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Consecration Leighlin. The presence of the cathedra in the Cathedral of the Assumption designates this church as the mother church for the Church in Kildare and We now come to the heart of the Rite of Ordination: the Laying on of Hands and Leighlin. the Prayer of Consecration. These ancient words and gesture came to signify the giving of an office in the Church. The laying on of hands expresses Kiss of Peace the invocation, conferral and action of the Holy Spirit upon Denis Nulty. At the cathedra Bishop Denis receives the Kiss of Peace from the members of Through it he is empowered to teach, sanctify and exercise pastoral the college of bishops. This gesture visibly demonstrates his communion governance in the Church. All the bishops participate in this action to signify with them as brother bishops and, in turn, the communion of the Church his reception into the college of bishops, while the people keep a prayerful of Kildare and Leighlin with the universal Church. silence. Then an open book of the Gospels is placed upon the head of Denis Nulty until the prayer of consecration is completed. The core elements of Greeting the ordination have been celebrated. Monsignor Brendan Byrne, who has served as Diocesan Administrator, Anointing will then bring Bishop Denis forward for a Greeting of Representatives of the There now follows a series of what can be called explanatory gestures and people and organisations of the diocese as well as representatives of other actions that go towards explaining what has just happened.

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