The episcopal ordination has taken place of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral this Sunday afternoon.
The newly ordained Bishop of Killaloe was joined by his parents Tom and Peg, his sister Caitriona and brother Sean, extended family, close friends and neighbours at the celebration.
Among the great many clergy present to participate and witness this event, were: Bishop Willie Walsh (Bishop of Killaloe 1994-2010); ordaining metropolitan Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly; Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio; Archbishop Eamonn Martin Primate of All-Ireland; Archbishop Michael Neary; Fr Des Hillery, consecrating bishops, concelebrating priests.
The sermon was delivered by Very Reverend Brendan Canon Kilcoyne PP of Athenry, a close friend of Bishop Monahan’s for the past 20 years.
In his homily, he said “We will not be led by small men”. Addressing Bishop Monahan he added, “You must give everything to it, you must lead from the front. You must have more than we need”.
He reminded Bishop Monahan that from this day forward things would never be the same, “the boss is the boss,” he quipped.
Referencing that the clergy were disillusioned, something he said had to be acknowledged he said, “look at us we’re exhausted”. He told Bishop Monahan, “Don’t be too demanding” and added,”You said you would lead us and we need to be led”.
The ceremony itself was a very joyous occasion with music and song throughout. As well as hymns there was a traditional music element added to the musical programme, something Bishop Monahan was keen to include.
It was a ceremony with young people too at its heart and there were also contributions by those with special needs, including representatives from St Anne’s Special School in Roscrea who provided a liturgical movement.
Following his ordination, Bishop Monahan met with the congregation, ahead of attending a celebratory meal.
Members of the clergy robe up before the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Canon Seamus Mullen gets ready before the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Priests arrive to the sacristy for the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan greets old friends outside the sacrtisty before his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
A group of bishops with Fr Fintan Monahan before his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
The altar servers proceed to the church for the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh, , Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio,, Archbishop Michael Neary, Tuam,, Archbishop Kieran O Reilly and Fr Fintan Monahan proceed to the church entrance for the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh, , Archbishop Michael Neary, Tuam,, Archbishop Kieran O Reilly, Fr Fintan Monahan and Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio, arrive to the church entrance for the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan followed by Archbishop Kieran O Reilly proceeds up the aisle for his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Parents Peg and Tom with sister Caitriona during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Archbishop Kieran O Reilly blesses Fr Fintan Monahan with Holy Water during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Archbishop Kieran O Reilly blesses the congregation with Holy water during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Marian Pilkington conducting a choir during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
St Mary’s Choir Nenagh singing during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
St Mary’s Choir Nenagh singing during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Brendan canon Kilcoyne PP VF Athenry gives the sermon during the Episcopal ordination of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan looks on as Brendan Canon Kilcoyne PP VF Athenry gives the sermon during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan lies before the altar during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan lies before the altar during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan lies before the altar during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Archbishop Kieran O Reilly lays his hands on Fr Fintan Monahan during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Archbishop Kieran O Reilly presents Fr Fintan Monahan with his crosier during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh, congratulates Fr Fintan Monahan after his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Bishops congratulate Fr Fintan Monahan following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan distributes Holy Communion during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan in prayer after Holy Communion during his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Bishop Fintan Monahan
Bishop Fintan Monahan
Bishop Fintan Monahan laments the chnaging of the blicencing laws to permit pubs to open on Good Friday. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan greets the public at the church door following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan is embraced by a member of the congregation at the church door following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Mitre and Crozier of Fr Fintan Monahan as he greets the public at the church door following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Mitre and Crozier of Fr Fintan Monahan are projected onto the cathedral wall as he greets the public at the church door following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis . Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan greets Rachel O Dea of Clarecastle at the church door following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis . Photograph by John Kelly.
Fr Fintan Monahan is congratulated by Kathleen O Connor of Portroe, Tipperary, at the church door following his Episcopal ordination as Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis . Photograph by John Kelly.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.
