A gift from the Holy Father to the people of the diocese of Cloyne on their patronal feast day

St Colman of Cloyne
Source

Today on the feast of St Colman, patron of the diocese of Cloyne at 12 noon in Rome and Cobh, it was announced that his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Canon William Crean to be the next Bishop of Cloyne.

The diocese has been without a bishop since Bishop John Magee stepped down on March 9, 2009 after severe criticism of his handling of clerical sexual abuse allegations.

Bishop-elect Crean (61) is a priest of the Kerry Diocese and was ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 1976. Before his appointment, he has been serving as Parish Priest of the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church in Cahirciveen.

Ad multos annos to Bishop-elect Crean

Further information here and here

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And for the diocese of Limerick, do we live in hope that on the feast of St Munchin (January 3rd) the Holy Father will also give us the people of Limerick the gift of a new shepherd for our local church?

Just an interesting point - if a priest is made the new bishop of Limerick (as opposed to another bishop being transferred into the diocese) it will be the first episcopal consecration at St John's Cathedral since 1974 for the late Bishop Jerimah Newman. Bishop Donal Murray was already consecrated bishop when he was appointed and installed as bishop of Limerick in 1996 as he had been an auxiliary bishop in Dublin.

Let us pray.