Harris For Limerick Diocese?

It seems that Rome may be getting its act together in appointing a bishop to the long vacant See of Limerick and the name doing the rounds is that of Fr John Harris, O.P. (Dominican).

Currently based in Dublin, he would be the latest in a list of episcopal appointments of religious order members to the vacant Sees throughout Ireland including Kildare & Leighlin, Cloyne, Elphin, with Kerry and Cork not too far behind in the vacancy stakes.

Is this a sign of Benedict XVI's intention of exercising control over the Irish Episcopal bench and ensuring that standards of education of clergy and diocesan accountability are enforced by Rome through these bishops?

Only time will tell but interesting times ahead indeed and how in touch they will be with the current secularisation that is ongoing in this country should be interesting viewing indeed....the swansong of a once dependable, loyal and subservient Catholic nation....