Bishop John Magee will not attend the ordination of his successor at
Cobh Cathedral this weekend “in case he becomes a distraction”,
according to the diocese of Cloyne. The former private secretary to three popes stepped down from the day-to-day running of the diocese nearly four years ago after his mishandling of sexual abuse complaints in the diocese first came to light.
There is enormous interest in the diocese in the ordination of Canon William Crean, a descendant of explorer Tom Crean.
The diocese of Cloyne said health and safety restrictions mean it can not print any more invites to the ordination tomorrow.
Some 600 tickets were given to the diocese’s 46 parishes in recent weeks but diocesan secretary Fr Jim Killeen said they have had “numerous requests” for more invites.
“There’s a great excitement about the ordination and the people of Cobh have been fantastic the way that they have become so involved helping out as stewards, with catering and everything,” said Fr Killeen. There is enormous goodwill out there towards Canon Crean.”
The Pope’s representative in Ireland, Charles Brown, will be the principal ordaining bishop at the ordination and another 19 bishops will attend.
The diocese’s caretaker bishop since Bishop Magee stepped aside, Dr Dermot Clifford, the archbishop of Cashel and Emly, will assist with the bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy.
There will be a sizeable Kerry contingent at the 3pm ceremony, as Canon Crean is a Kerryman and was parish priest of Cahirciveen up to this.
The bishop will be presented with his mitre, crozier, and ring, and will be greeted by representatives of his new diocese