The announcement that Fr Séamus Freeman is to be the new Bishop of Ossory has been warmly welcomed by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin. He said he had known Fr Freeman for many years.
"He is an exceptionally warm and kind man who I'm sure will quickly win the affection of the diocese. His genuine humility hides a deep spirituality and the breadth of his pastoral experience. Fr Freeman has roots in the Diocese of Ossory but he has unique experience in positions of international responsibility within the Pallottine Order, in direct parish ministry and in preaching retreats."
Fr Freeman was born on February 23rd 1944, the eldest of eight children, in Mullinahone, Co Tipperary. His family moved to Callan, Co Kilkenny, where he attended school, after which he entered the Society of Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was ordained on June 12th 1971.
Later he studied psychology in Washington before serving in various positions with his congregation in Rome. In 1981 he was appointed rector and director of formation at the Pallottine College in Thurles.
He returned to Rome in 1989 when he was appointed the congregation's vicar-general. In 1992 he became its rector-general, in which role he served two six-year terms. Since October 2004 he has been parish priest of the Church of St Vincent Pallotti at Pietralata in Rome. A date for his installation as Bishop of Ossory has yet to be set.
Meanwhile, there is no news of when the appointment of successors to Bishop Patrick Walsh of Down & Connor and Bishop Thomas Flynn of Achonry will be announced.
Both bishops forwarded their mandatory letters of resignation to Rome in the summer of 2006 when they reached 75.