Joyous occasion

Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, ordained at a packed Ennis Cathedral on Sunday, was full of thanks for the honour bestowed, writes Dearbhla Acheson.

AS strains of Ode to Joy blasted through Ennis Cathedral, Bishop Kieran O’Reilly walked amidst the congregation for his first time as bishop, accompanied by his predecessor Bishop Walsh and Bishop Noel O’Regan SMA. Such was the welcome from those gathered for this most special occasion that the tune had to be repeated – everyone wanted to wish the new bishop well.
Then it was his time to address his congregation. His words of gratitude were, not surprisingly, directed in two directions –Bishop Willie Walsh and his parents, Sean and Theresa, his family and friends.
“Bishop Willie, it is not possible for me to express adequately the gratitude that is due to you for your ministry as priest and bishop. I know you are held in high esteem by the people of the diocese and, indeed, well beyond the diocese, not only for your public presence but also for your quiet ministry of kindness and compassion to so many people. Your leadership and commitment to the development of the church in the diocese, to ensure that it is alive and relevant to our times, through the reorganisation of pastoral areas of the diocese, will be, I believe, your lasting and enduring legacy,” the new bishop remarked to a standing ovation for Bishop Willie. The two bishops hugged on the centre of the cathedral altar in a show of friendship and support.
To his parents, his many family members, relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, neighbours and fellow missionaries he recalled those who had sown the seeds of faith in his life and who have inspired and loved him.
He also thanked all who had gathered for the occasion and especially those who had travelled from different parts of the world. He extended his gratitude also to the “magnificent massed choirs and all who have laboured for weeks to prepare the liturgical and other celebrations”.
He pointed out that there were numerous members of the Society of African Missions present from different parts of the world – Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, led by Fr Jean-Marie Guillaume, who now takes over from him as the society’s superior general.
There was significant representation also of other Christian churches. “To Bishop Trevor Williams, Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, and to members of other Christian churches, your presence with us today is welcome and much appreciated. I hope and pray that the work of ecumenism will continue. I will be particularly interested in working closely with the members of the different churches in areas of common concern and witness,” Bishop O’Reilly said.
To Irish missionaries he also expressed his appreciation. “Irish missionaries, from the earliest times, have left our island for different parts of the world, where they were welcomed and made feel at home. Their witness contributed and continues to contribute in very significant ways to the growth of the church and in the areas of education and health care to many. This is a proud missionary tradition and I would like to remember all the missionaries from the Diocese of Killaloe who are working in foreign lands. In particular, the priests of the diocese who are on missions in Peru and Ecuador. I greet them and wish them and their faith communities, in the name of all of us, God’s blessing on their work. I look forward to meeting you in your mission stations,” the new bishop added.
He also welcomed to the celebration those who come from cultures “very different from our own”. “The Church in Ireland has been particularly blessed by your presence. You come to Ireland to build a future for yourselves and your families – you come from Africa and Asia, the Americas and countries of the new Europe. You bring a rich liturgical background from your home faith communities. In time, I believe one of the legacies of the recent years in Ireland will be the presence of people from other cultures in our faith communities. As our missionaries were warmly received and welcomed in many of your countries, I hope that you, too, will experience a similar warm welcome here in the Church and be fully involved in all aspects of our Church life.”
Bishop O’Reilly also thanked the priests of the diocese and their many co-workers for their “steadfastness and witness”.
He spoke too of the road that members of the Church are asked to travel into the future – a pilgrim road. Referring to Robert Frost’s poem The Road Less Travelled, he said that it is “a road that offers us opportunities and challenges in preaching the message of love and hope brought by Jesus Christ”.
“While it may be the road less travelled – without prestige and power, different from what we have known in the past, for us, disciples of the Risen Lord, it is the road to Emmaus, where we journey together with our Lord as he unfolds the mystery of life and love that we have received through his life, death and resurrection,” he remarked.