Limerick native to become archbishop in South America

A NATIVE of Mountcollins has been appointed as archbishop to the archdiocese of San Pedro Sula in Honduras.

Bishop Michael Lenihan, originally from Cragg, Mountcollins has served the diocese of La Ceiba in the Central American country since 2012 but is now to be consecrated as the first archbishop of the new diocese.

According to Fr Tony Mullins, Abbeyfeale parish priest, Michael was ordained as a member of the Franciscan Order at the age of 21. He spent his ministry working in pastoral care around Ireland and El-Salvador before transferring to Honduras in 2004.

After working as a priest there for some time he was made a bishop of the new diocese La Ceiba. “He was the first bishop of that nes diocese,” stated Fr Mullins.

“He was really starting from scratch in creating the diocesan structure,” he added. Also the first archbishop of San Pedro Sulaa, Fr Mullins laughed, “I think it was to his surprise.”

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Now 72 years of age, Archbishop Lenihan has had an enormous amount of experience in the role, and according to Fr Mullins, this would have been favourable for his promotion to archbishop.

Many of the duties that Fr Lenihan has is to provide “real and practical help to those who are down on the ground, in the diocese,” said Tony.

Described by Fr Mullins as a “calm individual”, he also “has the good of people in his heart.” These dioceses are different to those in Europe. As Fr Mullins puts it, “it’s a different world with a different culture and a really different church in a way.”

Not only a notable member of the clergy, Michael has strong ties to his home place and endeavours to visit regularly.

“He always reconnects with Mountcolllins, Abbeyfeale and his cousins in Athea - but his heart and his mission is in Honduras,” said Fr Mullins of Fr Michael Lenihan who will be consecrated in March.