Séamus Hegarty

The Most Reverend
Dr

Séamus Hegarty,
D.D.
Bishop Emeritus of Derry
Diocese Derry
Appointed 1 October 1994
Installed 6 November 1994
Term ended 23 November 2011 (retired)
Predecessor Edward Daly
Successor Donal McKeown
Other posts Bishop Emeritus of Derry (2011–present)
Orders
Ordination 19 June 1966
by John Charles McQuaid
Consecration 28 March 1982
by Tomás Ó Fiaich
Personal details
Born (1940-01-26) 26 January 1940
Kilcar, County Donegal
Nationality Irish
Denomination Roman Catholic
Previous post Bishop of Raphoe

Séamus Hegarty, D.D. (born 26 January 1940), is an Irish Roman Catholic prelate. He served as Bishop of Raphoe from 1982 to 1994, then as Bishop of Derry from 1994 to 2011.[1]

Early life and ministry

Hegarty was born in Kilcar, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1940.[1] He has one brother, Dermot, and one sister, Maire. He received his education in Kilcar National School, St Eunan's College, Letterkenny, and St Patrick's College, Maynooth, which he attended from 1959 to 1966.

He graduated in Celtic Studies and is fluent in Irish, English and German. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop McQuaid of Dublin at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth on 19 June 1966. He taught in Colaiste na Croise Naofa, Falcarragh, where he later became President (1971–1981).

He carried through the establishment of Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola in 1973, becoming its first Principal, and with his staff he made it a successful school. His last appointment before elevation to the Episcopate was as a curate in Stranorlar.

Episcopal career

He was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe by the Holy See on 12 February 1982. His episcopal ordination took place at St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny on 28 March 1982, the principal consecrator was Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, and the principal co-consecrators were Gaetano Alibrandi, Titular Archbishop of Binda, and Edward Daly, Bishop of Derry.[1]

Following the resignation of Bishop Edward Daly on 26 October 1993,[2] Dr Hegarty was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Derry by the Holy See on 1 October and installed at St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry on 6 November 1994.[1]

In November 2009, Bishop Hegarty expressed concern after 17 priests in the Derry diocese were found to have child sexual abuse allegations filed against them.[3]

Retirement

On 7 November 2011, he issued a statement saying that, having been diagnosed with "a condition which is, unfortunately, irreversible and progressive", he had submitted his resignation because he was no longer able to fulfil his role as diocesan bishop.[4] [5] The Holy See announced on 23 November 2011 that his resignation had been accepted.[6]

He was succeeded by Bishop Donal McKeown.

See also

References

External links

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Anthony Columba McFeely
Bishop of Raphoe
1982–1994
Succeeded by
Philip Boyce
Preceded by
Edward Daly
Bishop of Derry
1994–2011
Succeeded by
Donal McKeown
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