Retirement of the Pope’s representative who loved Inishowen and visited twice

The retirement of the Papal Nuncio to Ireland has prompted warm tributes in Inishowen, where Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor made two memorable visits last year and left a lasting impression on the local community.

Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Montemayor, who has stepped down as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland at the age of 70.

Appointed by the late Pope Francis in February 2023, Archbishop Montemayor's tenure coincided with the Catholic Church's Synodal Pathway consultations and assemblies, during which he travelled extensively throughout Ireland, meeting clergy and lay faithful alike.

Among the places that held a special place in his heart was Inishowen, according to Buncrana Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley, who has wished the Archbishop every happiness in his retirement.

The Papal Nuncio first visited Buncrana in April last year when, alongside Bishop Donal McKeown and Minister Charlie McConalogue, he unveiled the striking statue of the martyred Dominican priest, Fr Seamus Hegarty OP, at Father Hegarty's Rock.

Reflecting on the occasion, Fr Bradley described it as a hugely significant day for the parish and the wider peninsula.

“In the presence of Bishop Donal McKeown, Minister Charlie McConalogue, together with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, unveiled the beautiful statue of Father Seamus Hegarty OP, the martyred priest who died at the rock which now bears his name,” Fr Bradley said.

“It was such an overwhelming honour to have the Pope's representative in Ireland present on that occasion. The Government, the County Council, and so many more have to be congratulated on the success of that venture. The place still attracts so many people today."

During his visit, the Archbishop delighted Scoil Iosagain pupils by greeting them with high-fives on the beach, a gesture that reflected the warmth and friendliness for which he became widely known.

So taken was he with the beauty and hospitality of Inishowen that he returned quietly just a few months later, this time accompanied by his sister during her visit from his native Argentina.

“Archbishop Montemayor was so impressed by what he experienced that day that I asked if he could pay another visit to this place and so, in July last year, he returned quietly with his sister who was visiting from his native Argentina,” Fr Bradley recalled.

“Again, he loved this place, and we walked to Father Hegarty's Rock and then out to Dunree Fort. They loved their time here. Now that he has reached the age of seventy, he has decided to retire. We wish him every success and will send him a memento of his visit here.”

Meanwhile, on behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Eamon Martin also paid tribute to Archbishop Montemayor, thanking him for his dedicated service and describing his friendliness, good nature, and approachable manner as qualities that had been greatly appreciated by bishops, clergy, and people throughout Ireland.