THE need to rebuild a special identity in the Catholic Church in the wake of the pain and suffering caused by clerical sex abuse has been identified by the Bishop Elect of Killaloe, Fr Kieran O’Reilly.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Fr O’Reilly described himself as a “person of hope but not false optimism” when questioned about the importance of Church renewal.
The 57-year-old Cork cleric told members of the local and national media that Ireland has a great tradition and deep-rooted faith in the Gospel, which provides an ideal foundation to embark on a new journey of discovery.
The former superior of the Society of Africa Missions warned that the pain and suffering experienced by victims of sexual abuse and those who continued to suffer as a result of abuse should not be underestimated.
Acknowledging that victims carry the burden of abuse all their lives, he stressed it is important that they are supported as much as possible.
Asked if financial compensation for victims should be paid out of Church funds or from donations by mass goers, Fr O’Reilly said the first priority is the payment of compensation to victims once a settlement is agreed and where or how this is financed is only of secondary importance.
“I don’t know all the background of how this issue has been handled in Ireland. It is a very complex issue. I know that some religious congregations sold off land and property in Ireland. I don’t know all of the answers.
“Any decision that involves people’s money, people must be involved in that decision. There has been a dark time in the Church. Over the last 15 years, the Church has gone through traumatic change, not least the harrowing accounts contained in the Murphy and Ryan Report, which have shaken the Church.
“The journey of rediscovery is worth engaging in. We are a people of faith in Jesus. We realise we are sinners; the Church has been guilty of sin. We want to continue this journey and don’t want to abandon it because of our faith.
“I would like to see a new witness of the Gospel and how it is implemented. My hope is realistic and not overly optimistic,” he said.
Asked about celibacy, the priest confirmed he supports it, as he feels it has a real value.
However, he stressed that change is possible and there are opportunities within the Church of operating in different ways.
He explained that he is coming from a church in Africa where celibacy is held in very high regard because of vocations and acknowledged the discussion in Ireland about this issue is quite different.
Welcoming the production of a Diocesan Pastoral Plan in the Diocese of Killaloe, the bishop elect predicted it would provide an ideal foundation for improving the way the Church is run in the diocese.
He noted a great deal of information and experience has been gathered as a result of the plan and said he looks forward to seeing how it could be improved and built on in the future.
He said it is important for communities to reconnect with each other and then to connect with the overall diocese. In addition to the provision of new structures, he stressed that efforts to rebuild the Church will take a long time so people have to be prepared for the long haul.
“The most important thing is how people bear witness to the Gospel. When the titles, offices and roles fade away, ultimately it will be how we bear witness to the Gospel and not whether we wear a big hat or collar.
“It is important that we all work together to ensure this pastoral plan is successful. I am grateful for the work that priests in the diocese have already carried out and look forward to working with them in partnership.
“I hope to bring change but I can only do this with the help of people in the pastoral council and priests. I believe a lot of goodwill already exists in the diocese. This process is going to take time and maybe long after I am gone it will be still going on.
“There is huge cultural change in Ireland and it is time we found our essential roots. My first goal is to get to know the diocese and all the priests. There are so many lay groups working in the diocese. If I can do that first, I can then set out a clear goal,” he said.

Bishop relieved to hand over the reins

THE body language from outgoing Bishop of Killaloe, Willie Walsh at his last official press conference on Wednesday suggested he was relieved to see an end to the task of running the Diocese of Killaloe.
Bishop Walsh joined communication officer, Fr Brendan Quinlivan, Bishop Elect Fr Kieran O’Reilly, Ennis Pastoral Council chairperson, Sarah Malone and Killaloe Diocesan Pastoral Council chairman, Leonard Cleary at the top table for the first address of the bishop elect to members of the local and national media.
The outgoing bishop has only a few months of his 16-year stewardship left, which officially ends when Fr O’Reilly is ordained on Sunday, August 29.
Bishop Walsh admitted he is delighted that this day had arrived and he expressed a great sense of relief that the burden of running the diocese has been passed to someone else.
His strongest feeling is one of gratitude for the support and kindness he has received from people in the diocese over the last 16 years.
“Today is all about Fr Kieran coming to replace me as bishop in the Diocese of Killaloe. I want to say a very sincere welcome to Fr Kieran.
“I was surprised with Fr Kieran’s appointment. We met once before at a function but I didn’t know Kieran at all. I have been speaking to him a few times since his appointment and I know Kieran will bring special qualities to his new post.
“Over the past 10 to 15 years there has been a dark cloud across the Irish Church over the issue of sexual abuse. I hope and pray that we now have the structures in place to ensure that this never happens again. This is a time for new life and new growth,” he said.
Having worked to evangelise the Church in Africa, Bishop Walsh said the bishop elect is very well placed to rekindle the message of Jesus Christ and felt that this is a very appropriate gift to bring to the Irish Church.
Bishop Walsh pointed out the new bishop will bring a wealth of experience from his global background, having worked in Nigeria and Liberia as superior general of the Society of African Missions SMA.
The outgoing bishop thought the SMA was an Irish group of priests based in Cork. However, he has now learned they are an international society of priests all over the world with over 800 priests.
“Fr Kieran will bring new ideas to the diocese and a new experience. I pray he gets God’s blessing for his work in the years ahead,” he said.