Bishop_of_Meath

Bishop of Meath

Bishop of Meath

Ecclesiastical office in Ireland

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

Until the early twelfth century, the Kingdom of Meath had been divided into eight small monastic episcopal sees, which were located at Clonard, Duleek, Kells, Trim, Ardbraccan, Dunshaughlin, Slane, and Fore. By the time of the Synod of Rathbreasail, held in 1111, the last five had been united to the see of Clonard. Duleek was still recognized as a separate bishopric at the Synod of Kells, held in 1152, but disappeared not long after that date. The see of Kells was ruled together with Breifne (later Kilmore) in the second half of the twelfth century, but after 1211 Kells was incorporated into the diocese of Meath.

During the twelfth century, the bishops of Clonard were frequently called the "bishop of Meath" or "bishop of the men of Meath". Bishop Simon Rochfort transferred his seat from Clonard to Trim in 1202 and the title "bishop of Meath" became the normal style.

Following the Reformation, there were two parallel apostolic successions. In the Church of Ireland, the bishopric of Clonmacnoise became part of Meath in 1569. In 1976, the bishoprics of Meath and Kildare were combined to become the united bishopric of Meath and Kildare.

Alone of English and Irish Anglican bishops, the bishop is styled "The Most Reverend", for historical reasons.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Meath is still a separate title. The Roman Catholic bishop's seat is located at Christ the King Cathedral, Mullingar. The current bishop is the Most Reverend Thomas Deenihan, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Meath, who succeeded to the title on 18 June 2018.

Pre-Reformation bishops

Bishops of Clonard

For abbots of Clonard and early monastic bishops, see Abbot of Clonard.
More information Diocesan Bishops of Clonard, From ...

Bishops of Meath

More information Pre-Reformation Bishops of Meath, From ...

Bishops during the Reformation

More information Bishops of Meath during the Reformation, From ...

Post-Reformation bishops

Church of Ireland succession

More information Church of Ireland Bishops of Meath, From ...

Roman Catholic succession

More information Roman Catholic Bishops of Meath, From ...

References

  1. [1]
    Cotton 1849, The Province of Ulster, p. 111.
  2. [2]
    Fryde et al. 1986, Handbook of British Chronology, pp. 339, 367–368.
  3. [3]
    Moody, Martin & Byrne 1984, Maps, Genealogies, Lists, p. 285.
  4. [4]
    Brady 1876, The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, volume 1, pp. 233–235.
  5. [5]
    Cotton 1849, The Province of Ulster, pp. 111–115.
  6. [6]
    Fryde et al. 1986, Handbook of British Chronology, pp. 367–369.
  7. [7]
    Moody, Martin & Byrne 1984, Maps, Genealogies, Lists, pp. 285–286.
  8. [8]
    Brady 1876, The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, volume 1, pp. 234–238.
  9. [9]
    Cotton 1849, The Province of Ulster, p. 115.
  10. [10]
    Fryde et al. 1986, Handbook of British Chronology, pp. 369, 402, and 439.
  11. [11]
    Cotton 1849, The Province of Ulster, pp. 115–125.
  12. [12]
    Cotton & Cotton 1878, Supplement, pp. 94–95.
  13. [13]
    Fryde et al. 1986, Handbook of British Chronology, pp. 402–403.
  14. [14]
    Moody, Martin & Byrne 1984, Maps, Genealogies, Lists, pp. 406–409.
  15. [15]
    Brady 1876, The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, volume 1, pp. 238–244.
  16. [16]
    "Diocese of Meath". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  17. [17]
    Fryde et al. 1986, Handbook of British Chronology, pp. 439–440.
  18. [18]
    Moody, Martin & Byrne 1984, Maps, Genealogies, Lists, pp. 351–352.

Bibliography
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