Laois priest named Rome rector

Father Liam Bergin (41), of Laois, has been appointed rector of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. He succeeds Mgr John Fleming who held the post for eight years. Mgr Fleming succeeded Archbishop Sean Brady, now Catholic primate of all-Ireland.

In 1985 Father Bergin was ordained for the diocese of Ossory after studying at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, and at the Irish College in Rome. He spent two years as a curate in Ferrybank, Co Kilkenny, then taught at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny. He was director of formation at the Irish College in Rome from 1993 to 1997. Since 1997 he has been the college's vice-rector.