Bishop Leo O’ Reilly welcomes appointment by Pope Francis of Father Martin Hayes as Bishop of Kilmore  

29 Jun 2020

I warmly welcome the appointment of Very Reverend Martin Hayes of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly as my successor as Bishop of Kilmore.  I know that the people of Kilmore, priests, religious and lay, will make him very welcome too and take him to their hearts.  I heartily congratulate him on his appointment and trust that he will soon feel at home in his new surroundings and among his new flock.

I have only just made the acquaintance of Father Martin and I look forward to getting to know him better when he is ordained bishop and takes up residence here.  I wish to assure him that I will be available, and more than willing to assist him in any way I can, as he begins to find his way around the diocese and his new responsibilities as Bishop in the weeks and months ahead.

I wish to express my gratitude to Monsignor Liam Kelly, who, in addition to his work as parish priest, has been Apostolic Administrator of the diocese since my retirement.  I thank him for his personal care and kindness to me since I retired, and I compliment him on carrying out the task of Administrator with characteristic humility, diligence and competence.

Bishop-elect Martin takes up his task at a very challenging time for the Church and for society in Ireland.  His ministry as a priest in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and particularly his work in the area of pastoral development and renewal there, has prepared him well for the task ahead.  I assure him of my prayerful support and I wish him every blessing and happiness in his new role as Bishop of Kilmore.

ENDS

  • Bishop Leo O’Reilly is Bishop Emeritus of Kilmore

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