A new era for the diocese of Killaloe opens tomorrow when a missionary priest takes over the leadership of Irish Catholics from the outspoken and popular Bishop Willie Walsh.Hundreds are expected to fill the cathedral of St Peter and Paul in Ennis to watch the ordination ceremony of their new bishop, Fr Kieran O'Reilly, a 58-year-old Corkman who until recently was based in Rome as world superior general of the Society of African Missions.
Bishop Walsh, who is stepping down on reaching the retirement age of 75, conducted consultations in the diocese that led to the names of three local priests being submitted to Rome as his successor.
But Pope Benedict XVI passed over the local candidates and appointed instead Fr O'Reilly, who has vast experience of the mind of the Roman Curia.
SIC: II