The Very Reverend Fr. Kieran O’Reilly S.M.A. was officially ordained the new Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Pro Cathedral Sunday. The 57-year old native of Cork City succeeds Dr. Willie Walsh who has held the position since 2 October 1994.
The newly appointed Bishop is a member of the Society of African Missions. Ordained to priesthood in 1978 he worked for some years in Liberia and Nigeria.
He later did post graduate work in Sacred Scripture and lectured in their seminary in Nigeria. Elected Superior General of the Society in 2001 he was re-elected in 2007 for a further six years.
Mayor of Clare Cllr. Christy Curtin today congratulated Fr. O’Reilly on being ordained.
Mayor Curtin commented: “On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare I would like to congratulate Bishop O’Reilly on his ordination, which represents a very proud day for him and his family, as well as the Diocese of Killaloe.
“Bishop O’Reilly’s appointment has been a very popular one among people in the Diocese. I know that he has already met with the priests, people, and religious of the Diocese to listen to them and to learn about the Diocese in all its different areas of ministry. I have every confidence that he will minister to his flock with compassion and relate to the hopes and fears of ordinary people in the Diocese, just as his predecessor did”, he added.
Commenting on Dr. Willie Walsh’s retirement as Bishop of Killaloe, Mayor Curtin said: “Bishop Walsh is above all a highly respected pastoral figure whose compassion and progressive thinking sets him apart. This is very apparent in the way he comfortably, delicately and effectively handled matters of significance for members of the Church, as well as the wider community the Diocese. His work is recognised and appreciated by senior members of the Catholic Church in Ireland and further afield.
“I would like to wish Bishop Walsh a very happy and peaceful retirement and in doing so wish Bishop O’Reilly every success in his new role”, concluded the Mayor.