Archbishop Clifford's statement on his appointment as Apostolic Administrator to Cloyne

Statement by Archbishop Dermot Clifford on his appointment as Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Cloyne.

On 4 February last Bishop John Magee requested the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to appoint an Apostolic Administrator to the Diocese of Cloyne.

The Holy Father has acceded to this request and today has appointed me as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne.

This means that the governance of the Diocese has now been transferred to me and that I have been given all the powers and duties of the Bishop of Cloyne.

Bishop Magee retains the title of Bishop of Cloyne.

I look forward to serving the people and priests of Cloyne and to giving them pastoral leadership to the best of my ability.

Coming from a neighbouring diocese, I know them to be a people with a proud tradition of faith.

I will give every possible cooperation to the Commission of Inquiry into the Diocese of Cloyne.

I intend to meet with the College of Consultors, the Council of Priests, and the diocesan Child Protection Delegate as soon as possible.

I ask for the prayers and support of the lay faithful, priests and religious of the Diocese of Cloyne.

Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly was born on 25 January 1939. He was ordained a priest on 22 February 1964, ordained Coadjutor Archbishop on 9 March 1986 and installed as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly on 12 September 1988.

Archbishop Clifford’s responsibilities with the Irish Bishops’ Conference include: Chair of the Department of Planning and Communications, Chair of the Council for Research and Development; Member of the St Patrick’s College Maynooth Development Committee; and he is a Trustee of Trócaire.

An Apostolic Administrator is appointed to temporarily govern a diocese when special or very serious circumstances warrant such an appointment. He governs in the name of the Holy Father and has all the powers and duties of a diocesan bishop.

The College of Consultors is a diocesan body of six to twelve priests drawn from the members of the Diocesan Council of Priests. Members are appointed to five-year, rotating, renewable terms. Canon law requires the bishop to consult with his College of Consultors before making certain decisions.
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(Source: IBC)