Canon William Crean was Ordained the 67th Bishop of Cloyne
at St.Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh today (Sunday, January 27, 2013). The Principal Ordaining Bishop was Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, assisted by the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, Most Reverend Dermot Clifford DD and the Bishop of Kerry, Most Reverend William Murphy DD.
His Eminence Sean Cardinal Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland presided at the Mass, and concelebrants included the Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop Michael Neary, many other members of the Hierarchy, some 90 priests from the Diocese of Cloyne and a large number of priests from the new Bishop’s native Diocese of Kerry.
Classmates of Bishop Crean, including Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, also concelebrated the Mass.
Members of Bishop Crean’s family, including his seven brothers and sisters, were in St. Colman’s for the Ordination.
The official document from Pope Benedict XVI appointing Bishop Crean was read by Msgr. Eamonn Goold PP VF, Midleton. The first reading was read by Colm Drinan, Carrigtwohill and the second reading was read by Maire Ui Laoire, Cill na Marta. The Psalmist was Eileen Plummer, a member of the Cobh Cathedral Choir. The Gospel was proclaimed by Fr Damien Lynch, CC Fermoy, who was ordained to the priesthood last June. Offertory gifts were brought forward by children from the five Cobh parish schools.
The choir was made up of the Cobh Cathedral Choir and St Colman’s Chamber Choir. Director of Music was Mr Dominic Finn. The organist was Mr Adrian Gebruers, who is also the Cathedral Carilloneur, and played the Carillon as the procession left the Cathedral at the end of the ceremony.
Representatives of other Christian Churches who greeted the new bishop included the Right Reverend Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Church of Ireland; the Reverend Colin Milligan, the Methodist Church of Ireland; the Reverend William Montgomery, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Reverend Jim Stephens, Parish of Kilcolman in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Ardfert & Aghadoe.
The President and the Taoiseach were represented by their Aides de Camp. The attendance included the Mayor of Cobh, Sinead Sheppard, the Cork County, Mayor Barbara Murray, David Stanton TD, Michael Ahern, former TD, representing Mr Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail leader, Sean Kelly MEP, Cobh Junior Mayor Niamh O’Connor, and members of Cobh Town Council.
Captain Hugh Tully represented Commodore Mark Mellett, head of the Irish Navy. The attendance included Garda Superintendent Pat Lehane, John Mulvihill MCC, Seán O’Connor MCC and people representing every parish in the diocese.
Following the ceremony Bishop Crean attended a reception for the faithful of the Diocese of Cloyne in the Great Island Community Centre where he received a very warm welcome and many congratulations.