Patrick Walsh (Bishop)
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The Most Reverend Dr Patrick Joseph Walsh D.D. is Roman Catholic Bishop of the diocese of Down & Connor. He was born in 1931 at Cobh, Republic of Ireland.
[edit] Career
Following his education at St Mary's CBGS, he trained for the priesthood and was ordained priest on 25th Feb 1956.
He spent many years teaching in St Malachy's College, Belfast and also as the president of the college until 1983.
He is seen as a tradionalist and is well-loved in Belfast. During the Troubles he made a point of visiting victims' families and consoling the bereaved.
In 1983, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Down & Connor and was consecrated on the 15th March by Cahal Cardinal Daly, Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi and Bishop William J. Philbin. He was given the Titular See of Ros Cré.
In 1991, on the elevation of the then Bishop of Down & Connor Cahal Cardinal Daly as Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Walsh became Bishop of Down & Connor.
He has been the Principal Consecrator of Bishop Michael Dallat and Bishop Donal McKeown.
[edit] Recently
He has taken a hard line against British Government plans to reform education in the North, and has warned that any attempt to dilute the ethos of Catholic Schools would not be tolerated.
Early in 2006 Dr. Walsh tendered his resignation to the Vatican, and is still waiting for Pope Benedict XVI to appoint his successor.
He was one of the Bishops that travelled to Rome for their Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina visit in October 2006.
