PRAYERS AND SUPPORT FOR BISHOP GER AS HE IS INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF OSSORY THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, 13th September, Bishop Ger Nash will be installed as Bishop of Ossory. We join together in praying for Bishop Ger and for his ministry as bishop in both Ossory and Ferns.

Bishop Gerard Nash was born on 27 February 1959 at Glandree in the parish of Tulla, Co Clare.  After completing his Leaving Certificate, he studied business and then worked in manufacturing industry for a number of years, subsequently choosing to study for the priesthood with the Diocese of Killaloe in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.  On 15 June 1991 Bishop Nash was ordained a priest, by Bishop Michael Harty, in Drumcharley Church, Tulla.  On 11 June 2021, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Nash as Bishop of Ferns.

The Diocese of Ossory has a Catholic population of 83,595.  The diocese comprises 42 parishes, 35 priests in active ministry, and covers the areas of most of County Kilkenny, six parishes in County Laois, and one parish in County Offaly.

Having served as Apostolic Administrator of Ossory from Sunday, 25 January 2026, on Wednesday 29th July it was announced that Pope Leo XIV has appointed him Bishop of Ossory in addition to his ministry as Bishop of Ferns.

The two Dioceses will be joined in persona episcopi,  maintaining their own identity but work together under the pastoral care of one Bishop. This is a moment of great hope for our two dioceses as we continue the process of consultation to see how this can bring most fruit in our service of the Gospel together in the years to come.

PRAYER FOR BISHOP GER

‘O God, eternal and loving Shepherd, we bless and thank you for the appointment of your servant, Bishop Ger Nash, to our Dioceses of Ossory and Ferns. May your Holy Spirit grace him with a spirit of counsel and fortitude, a spirit of knowledge and piety, so that he may gently and courageously sanctify, teach and govern the Church of Ossory and Ferns as we work together building up your kingdom. May he be a shepherd after your own heart, who with compassion and wise discernment will care for and lead your people with the joy of the Gospel. May his example remind us of what it means to be Christ’s heart of mercy, voice of hope to the hopeless, and hands of justice. In your faithfulness and love, bless us all in this time of transition and change. We pray for renewed zeal for the Church of Ossory and Ferns to be a light to the world.

We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.