As I have previously indicated here, there are 3 dioceses in Ireland which require new incumbents and the name of the successor to Ossory is imminent in being named but the process is still that bit slower in getting off the ground in another diocese, namely Down & Connor.Bishop Patrick Walsh (pic'd here) has been in situ for some years now and has truly passed the retirement age and indeed despite having 2 auxiliaries, still finds himself kept busy.
In recent weeks, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, ARCHBISHOP GIUSEPPE LAZZAROTTO, has been canvassing the clergy throughout the diocese for possible names to be placed upon the terna which he will then submit to Rome for final decision by the Pope.
At present however, there is a discreet but concerted effort to ensure that one of his auxiliries namely, Bishop Donal McKeown, is prevented from getting the top job in the diocese as he does not seem to be all that well liked by clergy and laity alike and both groupings certainly do not wish to have more of him than they have at present.
Despite a considerable background in Catholic education, Bishop Mc Keown (pic'd here) is regarded as supportive of integrated education.
His defence of Catholic education, particularly against a double onslought from teacher unions (the Irish National Teachers' Organisation) and British government reform, is generally seen as weak and ineffective.
He is also regarded as politically naive.
He famously appeared at a rally in the Ulster Hall in Belfast held in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and against the Patten proposals on reform of policing. He claimed that he was misled by the invitation.
Most commentators see him as the front runner though many informed sources now regard this as unlikely, given his weak performance on the issue of Catholic education, which has angered many priests in the diocese who are heavily involved in education at parish level.
The inclusion of his name as a possible successor in an article in the Belfast newspaper, The Irish News, led to a furious debate on the Slugger O'Toole website, with dozens of commentators expressing either anger or praise for him.
Other names currently being bandied about as possible successors to Walsh include the current incumbent of Dromore, Bishop McAreavey, Monsignor Noel Treanor and the moral theologian of Maynooth, Dr Vincent Twomey (who has also been considered for Diocese of Ossory - he may yet become a mitred one this year).
The latest dispatch from the Papal Nuncio contained the following documentation which is not normally available tot he ordinary laity who end up paying for the person installed as their pastoral leader....enjoy the read and if you feel like contrbuting yourself feel free...
Private and Confidential
15 March 2007
Dear _________________
Since the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor, the Most Reverend Patrick Walsh, I am at present conducting a consultation that will lead in due time to the appointment of his successor. In this contest, I am seeking your assistance.
Bearing in mind the particular situation in the North of Ireland and what you see to be the specific needs of the Diocese of Down and Connor at this time, I would find it helpful to have your judgement as to the specific qualities that you would consider desirable in the new Bishop and to have the names, in the order of your preference, of (three) possible candidates, either bishops or priests, whom you would consider well suited to lead the Diocese.
To facilitate a more comprehensive answer, I enclose a Questionnaire that may serve as a general guideline.
For practical purposes, I would ask that the page(s) relating to each candidate, signed by hand and dated, be presented in each case as a separate unit. Finally, given the confidential nature of this consultation, I would ask that, in sending me your reply, you would also return this letter and the accompanying questionnaire.
I regret imposing upon your limited time, but I am most grateful for whatever assistance you can provide.
With kind regards, I remain,
Yours in Christ
ARCHBISHOP GIUSEPPE LAZZAROTTO
Apostolic Nuncio
183 Navan Road
Dublin 7
Ireland
QUESTIONNAIRE
Please provide on separate sheets the information regarding each candidate, indicating the circumstances and duration of your acquaintance with him.
1. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: physical appearance; health; capacity for work; family background with particular reference to any possible hereditary condition.
2. HUMAN QUALITIES: intellectual endowment and practical skills; temperament; judgement and balance, sense of responsibility; ability to establish ties of friendship.
3. MORAL CHARACTER: Practice of the human, Christian and priestly virtues such as prudence, justice, honesty, loyalty, sobriety, faith, hope, charity, obedience, humility, piety, (daily performance of religious duties such as the celebration of the Eucharist, and the Liturgy of the Hours, devotion to Our Lady). Personal bearing and conduct with people in the exercise of the priestly ministry and beyond.
4. CULTURAL TRAINING: competent and up to date acquaintance with ecclesiastical studies; general culture; awareness of contemporary problems and responsiveness to them; knowledge of other languages; published works (books or articles).
5. ORTHODOXY: devoted allegiance to the Tradition, Doctrine and Magisterium of the Church; attitude to pronouncements of the Holy See regarding the ministerial priesthood, the priestly ordination of women, marriage, sexual ethics, social ethics and social justice; commitment to the authentic renewal advocated by the Second Vatican Council and subsequent papal teaching.
6. DISCIPLINE: loyal obedience to the Holy Father, the Apostolic See, the Sacred Hierarchy; esteem for and acceptance of priestly celibacy as put forward by the Magisterium of the Church; respect for and observance of the norms governing divine worship and ecclesiastical attire.
7. PASTORAL ENDEAVOUR: experience and achievements in pastoral ministry; work of evangelisation and catechesis, preaching and teaching (preparation, ability to speak in public); sacramental and liturgical ministry (particularly the administration of the Sacrament of Penance and the celebration of the Eucharist); promotion of vocations and the Catholic missions; ecumenical spirit; dedication to family and youth ministry; promotion and defence of human rights; initiative in the area of labour, human development and social action (especially in relation to the poor), culture and communications.
8. ABILITY TO GOVERN: fatherly spirit; spirit of service; sense of initiative; willingness to enter into dialogue, to seek and accept collaboration, to share responsibility; capacity to analyse, to plan, to make decisions and execute them, to direct and carry out projects with others and show due appreciation for the contribution of collaborators, male and female; interest in the concerns of both the local and the universal Church; respect for the legitimate autonomy of civil authorities.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPETENCE: skill in administration; respect for and proper use of the material patrimony of the Church; willingness to seek the collaboration of experts; detachment from self-interest.
10. PUBLIC ESTEEM: does the candidate enjoy the esteem of fellow priests, religious, the laity and authorities?
11. OVERALL JUDGMENT REGARDING THE PERSONALITY OF THE CANDIDATE AND HIS SUITABILITY FOR THE EPISCOPACY: If your concluding judgment is favourable, please indicate whether you deem the candidate suitable to be a Resident Bishop or an Auxiliary, specifying the size and type of the diocese you would envisage (large, medium, small, rural, urban, industrial).
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
To seek further information regarding the candidates you have proposed, it would be appreciated if you could indicate the name, qualifications and address of any priest, religious, or layperson who is well acquainted with them and whose judgment and discretion can be relied upon.
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