The return to Ireland of the former bishop of Galway, Dr Eamonn Casey, to a "quiet retirement" would not be opposed by the majority of people, the newly-appointed Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, has said.
Speaking in Cork yesterday at the formal announcement of his appointment, Dr Buckley said Dr Casey had publicly apologised for his actions and had described them as indefensible and a bad example to young people. He had made it clear that because of failing health and homesickness, his wish was to return to his native country. The Irish Hierarchy, Dr Buckley added, would not have any great difficulty if Dr Casey was to come back.
Dr Buckley, who served under the late Dr Michael Murphy as Auxiliary Bishop of Cork, was told of his appointment by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luciano Storero, last Saturday. He said he had travelled to Dublin to meet the Nuncio, "in some trepidation", but was aware of the rumours that his was one of three names on a shortlist to fill the See of Cork and Ross.
Asked how he viewed the controversial decision by the President, Mrs Mary McAleese, to take Communion in a Protestant church, Dr Buckley said he would rather not comment, except to say the Hierarchy had enunciated its views.
He added: "I can only say that at local level there are excellent relations between myself and my Church of Ireland counterpart. I think the issue has been raised out of all proportion."
A keen sportsman, Dr Buckley played hurling for Cork and is an enthusiast of road bowling, a sport which he learned in his native Inchigeelagh in West Cork.
Aged 58, he was ordained in 1965 and became president of the Farranferris seminary in Cork in 1976. In 1983 he was appointed parish priest of the Turner's Cross parish and in 1984 became Auxiliary Bishop of Cork and Ross.
He will be installed as Bishop of the diocese at a ceremony in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne on February 8th next.