An Athlone man has been appointed the new bishop of Kerry.
Fr Ray Browne (56 ) who is currently the parish priest of Ballagh in County Roscommon, is to take over from Bishop Bill Murphy as bishop of the diocese of Kerry.
The announcement was made outside St Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney on Thursday morning, May 2.
Fr Ray Browne was ordained in the Diocese of Elphin in 1982.
He spent 13 years in Galway city doing Canon Law work; the rest of his time was spent being a school chaplain and in parish work.
He said he heard from the Papal Nuncio about his appointment in the last nine days.
He admits it was a shock to hear of his appointment to Kerry, but says he’s looking forward to it.
He says his first task will be to get to know the people and priests in the 53 dioceses of Kerry.
He paid tribute and wished good luck to the outgoing Bishop Bill Murphy.
A date has not yet been set for his ordination, but the process must be completed within three months.
