A Cavan native has been appointed as Bishop of Derry by Pope Leo XIV.
The follows the Pontiff accepting the resignation of Bishop Donal McKeown, the former Bishop of Derry.
Bishop Michael Router has been nominated by Pope Leo XIV to become the Bishop of Derry.
He 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.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kilmore in 1989 and since then he has served in various parish, education and pastoral roles before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh by Pope Francis in 2019.
In a statement Bishop Router noted that it is an immense honour to have been nominated by Pope Leo to serve in this position.
He paid tribute to his predecessor and the priests and people he has served beside in the Archdiocese of Armagh.
Bishop Router is set to take up his post in September, Bishop McKeon will serve as Apostolic Administrator of Derry until Bishop Router is formally installed.
Bishop Donal McKeown warmly welcomed Bishop Router to the role, noting that he brings valuable talent and experience to the role.
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh said he is delighted to share in the joy of his home Diocese of Derry as Pope Leo XIV names Bishop Michael Router as the new Bishop of the Diocese.
He noted that he knows that Bishop Michael will receive a warm welcome from the people, priests and religious of Derry.
