ARCHBISHOP Dermot Clifford (70) ranks as one of the most senior and influential figures within the Irish hierarchy.Dr Clifford, a native of Kerry, served as Coadjutor Archbishop of Cashel and Emly for just over two years before being ordained as archbishop in September 1988 by the late Cardinal Tomas O'Fiaich.
Previously, he had taught at St Brendan's College in Killarney and at University College Cork (UCC).
A graduate of St Patrick's College in Maynooth, he mirrored the career path of Dr John Magee, serving for a time in Rome where he also completed his studies.
During his time at the Irish College in Rome, part of his duties entailed dealing with Irish bishops and archbishops who would regularly travel to the Vatican on Church business. He became very highly regarded within the Irish hierarchy.
On his appointment as archbishop, he also became the patron of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) -- the first Kerry native to hold the prestigious position.
Dr Clifford has been a stalwart supporter of the GAA throughout his life and was considered to be a talented footballer as a student.
He has also been a keen supporter of a number of charity projects including Bothar, the agri-charity which specialises in shipping farm animals to parts of the Third World.
The archbishop has backed the work of Bothar since its launch in 1991, and is now a trustee of the charity.
Within the Church he is regarded as "a safe pair of hands" -- and this was reflected in his being appointed to the chairmanship of the Irish Bishops Research and Development body.
While Dr Clifford will now serve as Apostolic Administrator of Cloyne Diocese, his involvement is expected to be one of supervisory oversight, given the existing demands of Cashel and Emly.
He is expected to leave the day-to-day running of the sprawling Cork diocese to senior clerics in Cloyne.
The forthcoming Confirmation programme is going to be handled by the clerics in the diocese's five deaneries.
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(Source: II)