At least when it comes to predicting a Pope you have the candidates, the cardinal-electors.
The odds on bishops, however, are significantly longer.
If Archbishop Martin is called back to Rome, the See of Dublin could to be vacant as early as October. And if recent Episcopal appointments in Irish dioceses are anything to go by, Dublin is likely to be without a bishop for several months at least.
In the meantime, Papal Nunico Archbishop Charles Brown will be a man on a mission.
As if he hasn’t been busy enough selecting suitable candidates to fill empty dioceses all around the county, the Pope’s representative to Ireland would be charged with the task of finding Ireland’s next primate to join Coadjutor Archbishop Eamonn Martin in Armagh as the future leaders of the Irish Church.
A number of significant and plausible contenders likely to be considered carefully by Archbishop Brown in the coming months in the event of Archbishop Martin being called to Rome.
A native of Dublin himself, Msgr Carroll was ordained to the Dublin Diocese in 1983.
The monsignor’s studies in University College Dublin (UCD) and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome culminated in a Doctorate in ecclesiastical history which he put to good use lecturing at Holy Cross College in Clonliffe, Dublin, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
However, Msgr O’Carroll’s strengths don’t just lie in academia and he has a proven track record as a preacher in Naul, Sutton, Rathmines and Saggart and as a manager in a previous role as Administrator of the Catholic University Church on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin.
Msgr O’ Carroll would be no stranger to Archbishop’s House either, having left the position of Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation to take up residence in the Irish College in Rome after an apostolic investigation into Irish seminaries found it was in need of an over-haul.
Msgr O’Carroll was seen then as the go-to man who would get the job done. Perhaps he will now be considered for a similar shake up in Dublin.
Another Rome-based Irish cleric could have a call up on the cards.
The current Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social
Communications, Msgr Paul Tighe, is seen as a strong contender.Born in Navan, Co. Meath in 1958, Msgr Tighe was ordained to the Dublin Diocese in 1983 after completing his studies in Clonliffe.
He also pursued studies in Moral theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and holds a degree in law from UCD.
Msgr Tighe acted as parish chaplain in Ballyfermot and as a professor and Head of the theology department at Mater Dei prior to being installed as Director of Public Affairs for Archbishop Martin.
Msgr Tighe was promoted to the high profile Vatican position in 2007, acting as Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, a role which Archbishop Martin was crucial in securing. Both men are known to be extremely close.
If the papal nuncio is looking for a man with communication experience and knowledge of the system in Dublin, he may look no further than Msgr Tighe.
Another senior Dublin cleric whose omission from the recent list of
Episcopal appointments has raised some eyebrows is the current
Administrator in the Donnybrook Parish, Fr Kevin Doran.Fr Doran proved himself to be a proficient organiser, showcasing his managerial skills pulling off a hugely successful 50th International Eucharistic Congress last year in his capacity as Secretary General.
He also won acclaim among Catholics during the recent and ongoing abortion debate, constantly presenting a well-reasoned and ethical argument for the protection of the unborn.
Fr Doran’s extensive management experience to date and the fact that he has been held back from other Episcopal appointments surely makes him one to watch. He has worked extensively on committees on behalf of the bishops’ conference and knows the workings of the Maynooth bureaucracy inside-out.
The Dominican Fr John Harris would be seen as a bold move and
represent a decisive shift outside diocesan clergy. 50-year-old Fr Harris, a native of Limerick, holds a doctorate in moral theology from the Angelicum University in Rome.
He has developed a reputation as a straight-talking preacher and teacher who has a warm rapport with young people.
His involvement with the Youth 2000 organisation has seen him emerge as a popular go-to person when it comes to youth evangelisation.
The fact that the Dominicans is one of few orders continuing to attract vocations in relatively large numbers would also play in his favour as the Vatican is keen to priorities the new evangelisation.
His gregarious style would be an interesting addition to the bishops’ conference.
While surveying priests, it would also be impossible to overlook the
diocese’s newly-ordained bishop, Dr Brendan Leahy, who is quickly
becoming Ireland’s most vocal and well-liked prelate.Bishop Leahy is a true all-rounder: A widely published academic, qualified barrister and talented pastor who is not afraid to tackle serious subjects and speak out on behalf of the Church.
He has proved impressive while presenting the Catholic stance on abortion and in encouraging Limerick to speak up against criminals for their city’s sake. Bishop Leahy’s knowledge of Dublin and its priests also stands in his favour.
While such a development may disappoint Limerick’s faithful who seem smitten with their new bishop, the papal nuncio would have no problem in pulling him from his position in Limerick if he felt he was the man for the job in the nation’s capital.
As tricky a business as predicting new bishops is, Archbishop Brown’s preference for selecting ‘outsiders’ to fill vacant dioceses makes it almost impossible.
Despite any hot tips that may be exchanged among Catholic punters in the event of Archbishop Martin returning to Rome, I doubt Paddy Power would even fancy a flutter on this one.