Diocese of Meath and Kildare
Encyclopedia
The United Dioceses of Meath and Kildare is a diocese
in the Church of Ireland
located in Ireland
. The diocese is in the ecclesiastical province
of Dublin.
, the Church of England
was established by the state as the established church. Later, by decree of the Irish Parliament, a similar new body became the State Church
in the Kingdom of Ireland
. It assumed possession of most Church property (and so retained a great repository of religious architecture and other items, though some were later destroyed). The substantial majority of the population remained faithful to Roman Catholicism, despite the political and economic advantages of membership in the state church. They were obliged to find alternative premises and to conduct their services in secret. The English-speaking minority mostly adhered to the Church of Ireland or to Presbyterianism
. In 1833, the two provinces of Dublin and Cashel were merged. Over the centuries, numerous dioceses were merged, in view of declining membership. The same is true for this diocese where it can be seen that each of the entities listed in the title would have been a diocese in its own right. In 1976, the historic sees
of Meath
and Kildare
were united (Kildare Diocese having for the previous century and a quarter been united with the neighbouring Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough). It is for this reason that the united diocese has two cathedral
s.
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
. 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".
was founded by Saint Brigid
, a double monastery of nuns and monks. The abbey was governed by an abbess, who was the 'heir of Brigit' (comarbae Brigte), and by abbots, bishops and abbot-bishops, who were subordinate to the abbess. It was not until the 12th century however, that the bishopric was formally established at the Synod of Rathbreasail
(1111 AD). The diocese covered roughly the northern part of County Kildare
and the eastern part of County Offaly
.
. There are ten parishes in this part of the United Dioceses: Athboy
, Athlone, Castlepollard
(Rathgraffe), Clara, Julianstown
, Kells
, Mullingar
, Navan
, Trim
, and Tullamore
(Kilbride).
. There are six parishes in this part of the United Dioceses: Clane
, Clonsast (Clonbullogue), Mountmellick
, Naas
, Newbridge
(Morristownbiller), and Portarlington St Paul (French Church).
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
in the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
located in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The diocese is in the ecclesiastical province
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of Dublin.
Overview and history
When the Church in England broke communion with the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
was established by the state as the established church. Later, by decree of the Irish Parliament, a similar new body became the State Church
State church
State churches are organizational bodies within a Christian denomination which are given official status or operated by a state.State churches are not necessarily national churches in the ethnic sense of the term, but the two concepts may overlap in the case of a nation state where the state...
in the Kingdom of Ireland
Kingdom of Ireland
The Kingdom of Ireland refers to the country of Ireland in the period between the proclamation of Henry VIII as King of Ireland by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 and the Act of Union in 1800. It replaced the Lordship of Ireland, which had been created in 1171...
. It assumed possession of most Church property (and so retained a great repository of religious architecture and other items, though some were later destroyed). The substantial majority of the population remained faithful to Roman Catholicism, despite the political and economic advantages of membership in the state church. They were obliged to find alternative premises and to conduct their services in secret. The English-speaking minority mostly adhered to the Church of Ireland or to Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
. In 1833, the two provinces of Dublin and Cashel were merged. Over the centuries, numerous dioceses were merged, in view of declining membership. The same is true for this diocese where it can be seen that each of the entities listed in the title would have been a diocese in its own right. In 1976, the historic sees
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of Meath
Bishop of Meath
The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:...
and Kildare
Bishop of Kildare
The Bishop of Kildare was an episcopal title which took its name after the town of Kildare in County Kildare, Ireland. The title is no longer in use by any of the main Christian churches having been united with other bishoprics. In the Roman Catholic Church, the title has been merged with that of...
were united (Kildare Diocese having for the previous century and a quarter been united with the neighbouring Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough). It is for this reason that the united diocese has two cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
s.
History of the diocese of Meath
Although there had been abbot-bishops at Clonard AbbeyClonard Abbey
Clonard Abbey was an early medieval monastery situated on the River Boyne, just beside the traditional boundary line of the northern and southern halves of Ireland in modern County Meath...
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
Synod of Rathbreasail
The Synod of Ráth Breasail took place in Ireland in 1111. It marked the transition of the Irish church from a monastic to a diocesan and parish-based church...
. The diocese covered roughly the western part of the Kingdom of Meath
Kingdom of Mide
Mide , spelt Midhe in modern Irish and anglicised as Meath, was a medieval kingdom in Ireland for over 1,000 years. Its name means "middle", denoting the fact that lay in the middle of Ireland....
with the bishop's seat located at Clonard Abbey
Clonard Abbey
Clonard Abbey was an early medieval monastery situated on the River Boyne, just beside the traditional boundary line of the northern and southern halves of Ireland in modern County Meath...
. 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
Simon Rochfort
-Life:He was the first Englishman who held the see of Meath, to which he was consecrated in 1194.He was one of the judges appointed by Pope Innocent III in the suit for possession of the body of Hugh de Lacy, 5th Baron Lacy and first lord of Meath, between the monks of Bective in Meath and the...
transferred his seat from Clonard to Trim
Trim, County Meath
Trim is the traditional county town of County Meath in Ireland, although the county town is now Navan. The town was recorded in the 2006 census to have a population of 6,870....
in 1202, the normal style became the "Bishop of Meath".
History of the diocese of Kildare
In the 5th century, the Abbey of KildareKildare Abbey
Kildare Abbey is a former monastery in County Kildare, Ireland, founded by St Brigid in the 5th century, and destroyed in the 12th century.Originally known as Druim Criaidh, or the Ridge of Clay, Kildare came to be known as Cill-Dara, or the Church of the Oak, from the stately oak-tree loved by St....
was founded by Saint Brigid
Brigid of Kildare
Saint Brigit of Kildare, or Brigit of Ireland , nicknamed Mary of the Gael is one of Ireland's patron saints along with Saints Patrick and Columba...
, a double monastery of nuns and monks. The abbey was governed by an abbess, who was the 'heir of Brigit' (comarbae Brigte), and by abbots, bishops and abbot-bishops, who were subordinate to the abbess. It was not until the 12th century however, that the bishopric was formally established at the Synod of Rathbreasail
Synod of Rathbreasail
The Synod of Ráth Breasail took place in Ireland in 1111. It marked the transition of the Irish church from a monastic to a diocesan and parish-based church...
(1111 AD). The diocese covered roughly the northern part of County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
and the eastern part of County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
.
In Meath
The cathedral church of the former diocese is Trim CathedralTrim Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St Patrick, Trim is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Trim, County Meath in Ireland. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin....
. There are ten parishes in this part of the United Dioceses: Athboy
Athboy
Athboy , is a small agricultural town in County Meath in Ireland. It is located on the junction of the N51 and R154 roads. The town is located on the Yellow Ford River, in wooded country near the County Westmeath border.-History:...
, Athlone, Castlepollard
Castlepollard
Castlepollard is a large village in north County Westmeath, Ireland. Located in the barony of Demifore, in the civil parish of Rathgarve, it lies west of Lough Lene and northeast of Lough Derravaragh and Mullingar.-Name:...
(Rathgraffe), Clara, Julianstown
Julianstown
Julianstown is a village in County Meath, Ireland. It is located near Drogheda on the R132 regional road not far from the Mosney Camp. In 1641, the battle of Julianstown was fought here during the Irish Rebellion of 1641...
, Kells
Kells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
, Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, Navan
Navan
-People:Navan was the childhood home of Pierce Brosnan, who appeared in the television series Remington Steele and was the fifth film actor to play James Bond. TV personality Hector Ó hEochagáin, and comedians Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan also hail from Navan....
, Trim
Trim, County Meath
Trim is the traditional county town of County Meath in Ireland, although the county town is now Navan. The town was recorded in the 2006 census to have a population of 6,870....
, and Tullamore
Tullamore
Tullamore is a town in County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. It is Offaly's county town and the centre of the district.Tullamore is an important commercial and industrial centre in the region. Major international employers in the town include 'Tyco Healthcare' and 'Boston Scientific'. In...
(Kilbride).
In Kildare
The cathedral church of the former diocese is Kildare CathedralKildare Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St. Brigid, Kildare is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Kildare, County Kildare in Ireland. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin.-History:...
. There are six parishes in this part of the United Dioceses: Clane
Clane
Clane is a town on the River Liffey and in the barony of Clane in County Kildare, Ireland, from Dublin.Its population of 4,968 makes it the eighth largest town in Kildare and the 78th largest in the Republic of Ireland....
, Clonsast (Clonbullogue), Mountmellick
Mountmellick
Other than that its a 15th-century settlement on the narrow Owenass river with an encampment on its banks at Irishtown. Overlooking this valley with its trees and wildlife was a small church called Kilmongan which was closed by the Penal Laws in 1640...
, Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
, Newbridge
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
(Morristownbiller), and Portarlington St Paul (French Church).
List of Bishops of Meath and Kildare
| Bishops of Meath and Kildare | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1976 | 1985 | Donald Caird Donald Caird Donald Arthur Richard Caird is a retired Irish bishop who held three senior posts in the Church of Ireland during the last third of the 20th century.... |
translated Translation (ecclesiastical) Translation is the technical term when a Bishop is transferred from one diocese to another.This can be* From Suffragan Bishop status to Diocesan Bishop*From Coadjutor bishop to Diocesan Bishop*From one country's Episcopate to another... from Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe; elected 9 September and confirmed 14 September 1976; translated to Dublin Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland... in 1985. |
| 1985 | 1996 | Walton Empey Walton Empey Walton Newcombe Frances Empey is a retired Church of Ireland bishop. He was formerly the Archbishop of Dublin.Empey was born in Dublin, the son of the Reverend Francis Fullerton Empey and Mildred May "Mimi" Empey Walton Newcombe Frances Empey (born 26 October 1934) is a retired Church of Ireland... |
translated from Limerick and Killaloe Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe The Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe is the Church of Ireland Ordinary of the united Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe in the Province of Dublin.... in 1985; subsequently translated to Dublin Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland... in 1996. |
| 1996 | present | Richard Clarke Richard Clarke (bishop) Richard Lionel Clarke is the current Bishop of Meath and Kildare.Clarke was educated at Wesley College, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin and King's College London . Ordained a decaon in 1975 and priest in 1976, he was elected and consecrated to the bishopric of Meath and Kildare in 1996.-References:... |
elected and consecrated in 1996. |
See also
- List of Anglican dioceses in the United Kingdom and Ireland
- Roman Catholic Diocese of MeathRoman Catholic Diocese of MeathThe Diocese of Meath is a Roman Catholic diocese in eastern Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses which are subject to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Armagh...
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and LeighlinRoman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and LeighlinThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is a Roman Catholic diocese in eastern Ireland. It is one of six suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin and is subject to the Archdiocese of Dublin...