The New Bishop of Killaloe has said he was surprised and shocked to be offered a move from the African Missions to County Clare, but says he’s looking forward to the challenge.
Cork native Fr. Kieran O’Reilly accepts there’s a mammoth task ahead for the Catholic Church in Ireland, and admits he knows little of County Clare, having no connections to the dioceses of Killaloe, though he’s looking forward to getting to know the area.
The Bishop elect of the Diocese of Killaloe admits there are tough challenges ahead in his new role, particularly as he’s been away from the Catholic church in Ireland for most of the last 30 years in his role with the Society of African Missionaries.
But Fr Kieran O’Reilly told Clare FM he’s looking forward to listening and learning by getting to know the priests and people of the diocese with a view to facing the challenges together
Fr O’Reilly has acknowledged the popularity of Bishop Willie Walsh as he prepares to replace him following his ordination which is likely to take place late in August or September though he’ll visit Ennis in June, to familiarise himself with the area his knows little about for now
Meanwhile the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady has offered congratulations to Fr Kieran O’Reilly on his appointment as Bishop of Killaloe while also paying tribute to Bishop Willie Walsh on his retirement.
In a statement to Clare FM, Cardinal Brady acknowledged the contribution of Bishop Willie to the Bishops Conference and the Diocese of Killaloe saying he "is never afraid to speak out and to use his talent for communication to speak for the poor and the marginalised in society or when it came to issues of injustice and wrongdoing"
