It could take anything from a couple of months to two years to appoint a new Catholic Bishop of Killaloe, once the selection process gets underway in the new year.
While the Diocese of Killaloe is officially a “vacant diocese” following the appointment of Dr Kieran O’Reilly as the new Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, he remains as diocesan administrator until his installation on February 8 next.
He succeeds Archbishop Dermot Clifford, whose resignation, having reached retirement age, was accepted by Pope Francis.
Fr Brendan Quinlivan, diocesan communications officer, said putting a timescale on a new appointment was difficult at any time, but, in this instance, it was further complicated by the fact that there are several other diocese where there are vacancies to the filled. Everything in the diocese remains in abayance until the new appointment.
Eight days after the formal installation of Archbishop O’Reilly, the diocese’s seven-man College of Consultants will meet to select an administrator from among the priests of the diocese.
The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown will consult widely with the clergy, as well as lay people who are active in leading roles in the community, to hear there views and recommendations. He will send to the Congregation of Bishops in Rome.
Again, following a detailed investigative process, the names, with possibly one recommendation, will go to Pope Francis, who will make the decision in time.
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.