Pope determined to revamp (Irish) church with new posts

Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
Monday November 26 2012

POPE Benedict is to reshape the church here, with two more bishops to be appointed within weeks after the Diocese of Cloyne finally got its new bishop.

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Significantly, he chose a senior cleric noted for his outstanding parish abilities rather than a Vatican-based academic.

Church officials stressed that the emphasis on pastoral ability reflects the Pope's determination to "reshape and renew the Irish Church".

Six other Irish dioceses either have no bishop or have prelates serving beyond their retirement age.

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church sources confirmed to the Irish Independent that lists of recommended candidates for the vacant bishoprics are being considered by the Vatican.

Priority is set to be given to the dioceses of Limerick and Kildare & Leighlin, both of whom have been without bishops for over three years.

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Canon Crean will be installed early in the New Year. A native of Tralee and Parish Priest of Cahirciveen for the past six years, he admitted he was "apprehensive" about the new role, given the trauma in Cloyne over clerical child abuse.

The diocese is still reeling from Judge Yvonne Murphy's devastating report, which revealed that children had been left at risk by the failure to implement the church's own child protection guidelines.

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Cloyne has been without a bishop for almost four years after Dr John Magee, a private secretary to three Popes, first stepped aside and then resigned over the controversy.

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Cloyne has a Catholic population of more than 150,000 people and comprises 46 parishes. However, the diocese is struggling with the fall-out from the abuse scandals, with multiple compensation settlements for victims.

Full article at the Irish Independent