Denomination Roman Catholic Patron saint Finnian of Clonard | Area 5,120 km² | |
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Territory Most of counties Meath, Westmeath part of Offaly along with part of counties Longford, Louth, Dublin and Cavan. Population- Total- Catholics (as of 2013)303,000267,831 (88.4%) Ecclesiastical province Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh | ||
The Diocese of Meath (Irish: Deoise na Mí) is a Roman Catholic diocese in eastern Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses which belong to the ecclesiastical province of Armagh. The incumbent ordinary is the Most Reverend Michael Smith, who succeeded to the title on 16 May 1990.
Contents
Geography
Meath diocese covers most of counties Meath and Westmeath, part of Offaly along with part of counties Longford, Louth, Dublin and Cavan. The principal towns are Ashbourne, Drogheda, Dunboyne, Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington, Mullingar, Navan and Tullamore.
Early history
Although there had been abbot-bishops of Clonard since the sixth century, the diocese of Clonard proper was not formally established until 1111. It was one of the twenty-four dioceses established by the Synod of Rathbreasail. The diocese covered roughly the western part of the Kingdom of Meath with the bishop's seat located at Clonard Abbey.
Lordship of Ireland
During the twelfth century the bishops of Clonard acquired most of Meath as their territory, and frequently used the title "bishop of Meath" or "bishop of the men of Meath". After Bishop Simon Rochfort transferred his seat from Clonard to Trim in 1202, the normal style became the "Bishop of Meath". From 1778 until the late 19th century it had its seat in Navan, County Meath.
19th and 20th centuries
Charles Stewart Parnell's relationship with Mrs Katharine O'Shea led to the Bishop of Meath having a letter read at masses in the diocese in condemnation of the relationship. As Parnell was popular, this caused a backlash which eventually led to the cathedral removing to Mullingar, County Westmeath permanently. The diocesan School, St. Finian's College also moved to Mullingar from Navan. The incumbent bishop is Dr. Michael Smith.
The diocesan cathedral is Christ the King Cathedral, Mullingar, situated near the town centre.
Ordinaries
The following is a basic list of bishops of Meath since 1830: