Good morning everybody and thank you all for being here.
I thank
Bishop Colm for his warm welcome. I am conscious that I am following a
wise and compassionate pastor and a much-loved bishop. I hope to tap
into his great wisdom and extensive knowledge gained over thirty years
as bishop.
With us this morning is my own bishop, Bishop Leo O’Reilly of
Kilmore. I am glad that he is here because he, like Bishop Colm, is an
inspirational figure. They have much in common; it must be the O’Reilly
DNA!
I welcome very warmly Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, Pope
Francis’ representative in Ireland. I thank him for his encouragement
and support over the last week.
Two weeks ago I was wondering what
pastoral appointment I would get in Kilmore.
A week ago I was
considering a completely different scenario when Pope Francis, through
Archbishop Brown, asked me to become Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
After my initial shock I accepted the Holy Father’s invitation.
In doing so I am acutely:
- conscious of my unworthiness and of my limitations;
- conscious too of the weight of the historical significance of this
wonderful diocese and its contribution to the life of the Church in
Ireland up to the present day, but;
- I am confident in God’s grace and in the prayers and the support of the people with whom I will work.
I come from the diocese of Kilmore, from the parish of Templeport in
County Cavan.
Kilmore is just north of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, sharing a
border in counties Cavan and Leitrim. The parishes of Ballymachugh,
Gowna and Mullahoran are in Co Cavan.
So if I get homesick for Cavan I
can always nip up there. Naturally I am sad at leaving my own diocese
and the priests and people with whom I have worked for over thirty years
most recently in the parish of Laragh.
However, I look forward to
serving the people of God in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
People are the life blood of every parish. There are many people
engaged in running and administering various activities in their
parishes. Today I commit myself to serving and sharing in your
enthusiasm and commitment to the life of the Church.
I shall continue
the Herculean efforts of Bishop Colm whose pastoral care for this
diocese created a welcoming, safe place for children and compassionate
Church – even during the most challenging of times.
For a diocesan priest the clergy form a sort of family or meitheal,
who support, encourage and assist each other. I am really looking
forward to joining the priests of my new diocese, to listen, to learn
and to be part of their mission in joyfully spreading the Good News of
the Lord Jesus. So this morning I offer a special word of greeting to
the priests of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
Religious women and men have a special place in the story of faith.
Their prayer, their presence and their deep love of God are the hidden
engines of the Spirit at work amongst us.
I appreciate their valuable
contribution to the life of the diocese and I look forward to working
alongside them in our shared ministry.
I send greetings to Bishop Ferran Glenfield who was recently
consecrated as the Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and
Ardagh – to him and to his family.
From where we are assembled this
morning I can see the bell tower of Saint Mel’s Cathedral.
I remember
looking at the news reports that fateful Christmas Day 2009 and seeing
the flames and later the smouldering shell of Saint Mel’s. I am sure
that most people who watched those reports were shocked. I certainly
was.
My heart went out as I witnessed the community spirit and
resilience of: Bishop Colm, the people and priests of the diocese and
above all the people of Longford town.
I remember being deeply moved
when listening to the devastated townspeople recalling in tears how much
their Cathedral meant to them.
Not only was it the diocesan Cathedral,
it was their local church, where so many family occasions took place,
the sacred space where generations had visited to be in the Lord’s
presence.
I commend Bishop Colm, the members of the various committees, and
those engaged directly in Saint Mel’s restoration who have been working
very hard to plan and progress this important project. Towards the end
of next year the newly restored Cathedral will be opened. We all look
forward to that special and joyful occasion.
On my ordination card I had a quotation from Saint John’s Gospel, “I
have come so that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:
10). Human life is both sacred and of immeasurable value in all its
stages. I add my voice to that of the Bishops of Ireland, and to other
pro-life people, who have clearly affirmed this important message in
recent months. Understanding and compassion are key elements in
promoting and protecting human life.
I know only too well that life has
been increasingly difficult for a lot of people and families because of
the general economic situation. Voluntary organisations and charities
are greatly stretched responding to increased appeals for help. There
are many in our society today in need of hope because of pressures.
I
know that people, priests, parents, grandparents and friends are giving
reassurance, peace of mind and hope. The silver lining in the dark cloud
of the destruction of the Cathedral is that new employment has been
provided in the local economy.
As part of the Cathedral’s
reconstruction, a specialist programme is operating for twenty craftsmen
who are working on skill development based on the intricate and ornate
interior of Saint Mel’s. We all have a responsibility to help our
neighbour when we can.
The story of Ardagh and Clonmacnois is long and distinguished in the
annals of this country, a place of pilgrimage and mission dating back to
the fifth century. The diocese is in three separate parts and spread
over seven counties. So I think that a map and ‘sat nav’ will be
necessary for a while!
The diocese is characterised by communities with
a strong sense of identity and a strong tradition of faith. I look
forward immensely to gently moving into that flow of faith and practice
in this modern 21st century diocese, a community of believers in the
good news of the Lord Jesus.
Thank you for being here this morning, thank you for your welcome and I ask for your prayerful support now and in the future.
Saint Mel, pray for us. Saint Ciarán, pray for us. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.