Word has reached us from below in the Diocese of Bishop Wishy Washy (Willie Walsh) namely that of Killaloe in relation to their beloved shepherd.It seems that the health of their pastoral overlord is not all that good, but not bad enough to prevent him from taking to the slopes of Croagh Patrick over in Mayo at the weekend. This enabled him to avoid the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day liturgy.
In the last week or so however, keeping an eye to the future and indeed to the Code of Canon Law, the terna list has been circulated amongst clergy within the diocese requiring their recommendations as a possible successor is sought to Bishop WW.
There are fears amongst clergy that a non-local may be appointed to the diocese and this may prove difficult as the path laid down by Bishop WW over the last 14 years has been deemed to be progressive.
Under his stewardship, Killaloe has seen many changes, challenges and indeed controversies which have gone mainly uncommented upon by the media in Ireland which he has certainly curried favour with on a grand scale. He has also managed to get good publicity for the general Irish hierarchy when they collectively faltered and failed in relation to the allegations of child sex abuse which ravaged the Irish RC church for much of the 1990's and into the 21st century.
On the other hand, he has been seen to be working hand in hand with the media in such a way as to stave off scandal from the diocese and direct their attention towards others he has been making life difficult for including a member of An Garda Síochána who lost his job due to the interference of Bishop WW.
His collusion with the force in general has paid off as well considering that 2 Garda patrol cars and a Garda van were called to Ennis cathedral last week in an attempt to remove a person who was ever so drunk but asleep within the hallowed walls...but the men and women in blue failed in their job (nothing new there then) and it was left to the ambulance service to remove the man from the premises.
No doubt his relationship with the Force has played an integral part in a continued harassment against a younger member of the clergy over the last few years which one would hope will cease sooner rather than later but word has it once Bishop WW is retired, an explosive book of revelations shall be in the public domain exposing some of what has happened under the pastoral care of aforementioned WW.
One hopes that he who succeeds shall be chosen to lead will lead in a more Christian manner and less of a Catholic dictatorial manner...we live in hope for them...and no doubt we shall be disappointed...again ad infinitum!!
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