Pope Benedict will have a further chance to make his mark on the Irish hierarchy over the next twelve months as more bishops retire.Bishop Joseph Duffy tendered his resignation as Bishop of Clogher earlier this month, and a further four bishops are scheduled to send their resignations to Rome over the next year.
While bishops are obliged to tender their resignation on their 75th birthday, Pope Benedict is under no obligation to accept and bishops frequently stay on indefinitely.
Dublin auxiliary bishop, Dr Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh resigned six months ago, but, so far, has received no indication from the Apostolic See that the Pope intends to accept his resignation.
Speculation was rife when Bishop Noel Treanor, a Clogher priest was appointed to Down and Connor last year, that his auxiliary Bishop Donal McKeown would be transferred to Clogher upon Dr Duffy's retirement.
However, many Clogher priests are anxious to have a priest of the diocese appointed to succeed Bishop Duffy.
Bookie Paddy Power was forced to close the book on Down and Connor last year after a late run on Dr Treanor.
The bookie feared that 'insider' information was being used and speculation is bound to lead to a flutter over the coming months.
In addition to Bishop Duffy, Dr Francis Lagan, Auxiliary Bishop of Derry, Dr Colm O'Reilly, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise and Killaloe's Bishop Willie Walsh will all tender their resignations over the next 12 months.
Some sources have indicated that Rome is unlikely to replace auxiliary bishops, and Pope Benedict has appeared ''lukewarm'' to the idea of auxiliary bishops.
In Dublin, for example, Bishop Jim Moriarty and Bishop Martin Dreenan were transferred to other dioceses in recent years and no replacements were appointed in Dublin.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
(Source: IC)