Fr Kieran O'Reilly new Bishop of Killaloe

The Pope has formally accepted the resignation of the Bishop of Killaloe Dr Willie Walsh and it has been announced that the Pope has appointed Cork native Rev Kieran O'Reilly (57) as the new Bishop of Killaloe.  The diocese covers part of Clare, Tipperary and Offaly.

Bishop Walsh had already tendered his resignation, having passed the retirement age (75) stipulated by Canon Law. 

Born in Cork in 1952, Fr O'Reilly joined the society of the African Missions in 1970 and was later ordained a priest in 1978.  He then carried out two years of pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Monrovia, Liberia before returning to Rome to complete his biblical studies. 

He lectured for five years in that subject in Nigeria from 1984 to 1988.  More recently, he has served as superior general of the Society of the African Missionaries. 

Cardinal Sean Brady paid tribute to Dr Walsh describing him as “a Bishop who is never afraid to speak out and to use his talent in communication to speak for the poor and the marginalised in our society or when it came to issues of injustice or wrongdoing.”

He also congratulated Fr O'Reilly.  “He is well aware of the deep faith of the people of the diocese and I have no doubt that he can count on their prayers and their support as he takes on his new role as bishop.” 

Dr Walsh formally handed in his resignation letter on turning 75 and the process to choose his successor got underway with the diocese’s near 100 priests voting on who should succeed him. 

At a civic reception held in his honour in Ennis last March to celebrate his 16 years as Bishop of Killaloe, Dr. Walsh said that the position of Irish bishops was now hazardous for sad reasons and at risk from possibly some mistake made 20 to 50 years ago. 

The future Dr O'Reilly is expected to take up his appointment in mid June.

by Sean Ryan