Despite the obvious requirements of 3 dioceses in Ireland at present needing bishops to replace their current incumbents - Down & Connor, Achonry and Ossory - it seems as if the possible requirements of the diocese of Meath are to be delat with sooner rather than later.The diocese - which covers most of Meath, and portions of both Westmeath and Offaly - seemingly has experienced so much of the boom times which were the Celtic Tiger and thus expanded to almost breaking point.
Bishop Smith, the current incumbent, has another 8 years left in him yet before reaching the mandatory age of retirement of 75 but no doubt if the diocese is as busy as claimed, then any help which can be provided would surely be welcome.
The saviour (pardon the pun) to Bishop Smith could be the hotly-tipped current president of Ireland's national (and only) seminary, Maynooth College, Monsignor Dermot Farrell (pic'd here) who would be installed as auxiliary to Bishop Smith.
Fine and all as that may be, lest it be forgotten that Ossory needs a bishop soon considering the betting on the next incumbent is hotting up to the extent that one particular clerical bookie had to close the book he was running so expect an announcement sometime about Easter.
It will perhaps be just after then so as to allow this highlight of the Christian calendar to pass unfetterred in the diocese...not as unfetterred as one would wish perhaps but it is most certainly Bishop Forristal's last as presiding prelate!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce