Hard work ahead for bishop elect

MUCH hard work will be needed to rebuild confidence and trust in the Catholic Church in Ireland after the damage caused by clerical abuse of children, according to the newly-appointed Bishop Elect of Killaloe, Fr Kieran O’Reilly.

Describing clerical sexual abuse as a “scar on the face of the Church”, Fr O’Reilly warned the renewal of the Church would not happen overnight and does not view his appointment to the diocese by Pope Benedict on Tuesday as a quick panacea for past ills.
The outgoing superior general of the Society of African Missions said everyone would have to work together to rebuild the Church for future generations.
In an interview with The Clare Champion, the Cork City-born missionary priest pledged to work in close co-operation with priests and people of goodwill in the diocese to foster a better listening and understanding of the Church.
Having read the Ryan and Murphy reports investigating institutional and clerical abuse, the 47-year-old bishop elect admitted he is very fortunate not to have experienced any of this type of abuse growing up in Cork City in the ’50s.
“Looking back now, I think how sad it was for children of the same age and culture who were not living too far away who were not so lucky. We knew nothing about this.
“Child abuse is very painful and unfortunate for victims, who can still carry the scars for all of their life, regardless of the help they receive. It is very sad that this is part of our church’s history.
“It has been a very traumatic period for everyone in the Church and our biggest challenge now is to rebuild confidence and trust. This will not happen overnight and I don’t view my appointment as some form of panacea,” he noted.
Fr O’Reilly will make history when he becomes the first priest from outside the Killaloe Diocese to be ordained bishop in over 200 years, when he will take over the reins from outgoing Bishop Willie Walsh, possibly this autumn.
Last January, Bishop Walsh sent a letter to the Pope Benedict and the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza indicating his intention to step down following the celebration of his 75th birthday in January and his resignation was officially accepted by the Pope on Tuesday.
Fr O’Reilly said he has a limited knowledge of the Killaloe Diocese because he has spent so much time working as a missionary in Africa and in Rome.
Noting the Killaloe Diocese is the second largest in the country, he also acknowledged that it contains a large number of rural communities.
“It will be a big transition for me and a big challenge but I am looking forward to learning all about the diocese and working with all the priests.
“It will be a big change to take on a whole new life. I will come into the diocese with an open mind and consulting with priests will not be a problem for me. Most of my current job involves meeting and listening to priests and taking on board any issues or concerns they have,” he said.
Although Fr O’Reilly doesn’t know Bishop Walsh personally, having only met him briefly once or twice in Rome, he is aware of all the work he has done in the diocese and says he looks forward to seeking his assistance in his new role.

Bishop welcomes ‘exciting new era’
The appointment of Cork missionary Fr Kieran O’Reilly as Bishop Elect of Killaloe has been described as the start of an “exciting new era” by outgoing Bishop, Dr Willie Walsh.
In an interview with The Clare Champion, Bishop Walsh noted Fr O’Reilly is very well equipped to take up his new job because of the wealth of knowledge he gained as a renowned scripture scholar and the evangelist role he had undertaken building the Catholic Church in Africa.
In fact, Bishop Walsh believes securing the services of the 47-year-old is providential and predicts the diocese will benefit greatly from his rich missionary experience.
“I believe Fr O’Reilly is very well placed to inspire and rekindle the church. Like any new leader he will bring new ideas and a new way of approaching things.
“I am very happy with his appointment. We had a number of men who would have filled this post and may feel somewhat relieved, as it is a heavy burden to undertake. It is a great day for the Diocese of Killaloe.
“It is not uncommon to have a bishop appointed from outside a diocese in other parts of the country but it is unusual in Killaloe. I am confident Fr O’Reilly will get to know the diocese in a very short space of time.
“Having worked in the diocese, I was fortunate when I became bishop that I had the advantage of knowing people. However, it is also an advantage to come into a new diocese with fresh ideas without any baggage from the past,” he said.
Dr Walsh pointed out Fr O’Reilly brings a totally different experience of Christianity to the job, having worked in different parts of the world. He confirmed his successor would have his total support and loyalty and would assist him in every possible way.
“Fr Kieran takes on the role of bishop at a difficult time for the church in Ireland. However, it is an opportune time for a new evangelisation in our Irish church. The appointment of a priest from a society whose priority is evangelisation may be quite providential. It is my hope and prayer that his particular experience of evangelisation in a younger African Church will bring new life and rejuvenation to an older Irish Church,” he said.
Dr Walsh described Fr O’Reilly as a very outgoing, friendly person and a man of very significant ability.
“I listened to an interview he gave recently and he spoke for about 20 minutes without a pause. He is a highly intelligent man with great skills and a wealth of experience. He has spoken at the African Synod, which is a major event, in recent years.
“We tend to speak patronisingly about Africa. Fr O’Reilly has shown through his work that people in Europe could learn a great deal from Africa when it comes to the humanity, warmth and friendliness of its people,” he said.

New bishop ‘surprised’ by appointment
Fr Kieran O’Reilly has expressed his surprise on learning about his appointment as the new Bishop of Killaloe.
In a statement to The Clare Champion, Fr O’Reilly stated in the spirit of service he accepted this appointment and thanked Pope Benedict for asking him to take on this ministry of service and leadership in the Church of Killaloe.
“I am honoured and humbled by the appointment, which brings with it many mixed feelings. It is an honour for my family – my parents, sisters and brother and the Society of African Missions.
“It is going to take time to understand all that is involved in being a bishop, it will be a great privilege to serve in Killaloe and I look forward to all that lies ahead. I would like to acknowledge the work of the priests of the diocese who have been diligently carrying out their ministry in a difficult time for the Irish Church. 
“My first task, when I get to Ireland, will be to meet the priests, people and religious of the diocese to listen to them and to learn about the diocese in all its different areas of ministry,” he said. 
At the same time, Fr O’Reilly admitted he was saddened at leaving the leadership role he held in the Society of African Missions at a time of rapid change and development within that society. 
“The members of the Society of African Missions have been my second family for 40 years, they have nurtured my missionary priesthood, given me constant support and encouragement, and endless opportunities to learn and to serve as a missionary on many different levels of the Society in Ireland, Africa and Rome,” he added.