THE BISHOP of Killaloe, Dr Kieran O’Reilly, who was installed yesterday, was entering the church at a time when “it is having a Good Friday experience”.
That is the view of Fr Tim Cullinane, who yesterday delivered the homily at the ceremony at the St Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis before an invited audience of 1,800 people that included Cardinal Seán Brady and members of the hierarchy.
According to Fr Cullinane, a former colleague of Dr O’Reilly at the Society of African Missions (SMA): “We do need, especially at the moment, to remember that after Good Friday came Easter Sunday and new life with Christ rising, wounded but glorious.”
Fr Cullinane added: “At the moment it may be winter in the Irish church and in the country at many levels but spring will come because Christ, our hope, has risen and is always with us. Indeed, the first green shoots are already visible . . . for those who wish to see them.”
Dr O’Reilly (58), from Cork, succeeds Dr Willie Walsh, who resigned earlier this year on reaching 75. He has stepped down as superior general of the SMA, where he led an international group of more than 1,000 missionaries since 2001.
In his first remarks as the new bishop at the 2½-hour ceremony, Dr O’Reilly quoted the line of poet Robert Frost of “the road less travelled”.
“Perhaps that is the road that we, members of the church are asked to travel into the future, a pilgrim road, a road that offers us opportunities and challenges in preaching the message of love and hope brought by Jesus Christ.”
The road less travelled – without prestige and power – was different from what had been known in the past.
The congregation gave Dr Walsh a standing ovation after his successor said: “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. You have shepherded the flock of Killaloe since 1994.
“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.”
Cardinal Brady was accompanied by senior church figures, including Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr Dermot Clifford.
Also there were Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister for Defence Tony Killeen. President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen were represented by their aides de camp.
