Mayor of Clare Cllr. Christy Curtin today congratulated Fr. Kieran O’Reilly S.M.A. on being ordained the new Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Pro Cathedral.
Bishop O’Reilly succeeds outgoing Bishop Dr. Willie Walsh who has held the position since 2 October 1994.
Mayor Curtin commented: “On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare I would like to congratulate Bishop O’Reilly on his ordination, which represents a very proud day for him and his family, as well as the Diocese of Killaloe.
“Bishop O’Reilly’s appointment has been a very popular one among people in the Diocese. I know that he has already met with the priests, people, and religious of the Diocese to listen to them and to learn about the Diocese in all its different areas of ministry. I have every confidence that he will minister to his flock with compassion and relate to the hopes and fears of ordinary people in the Diocese, just as his predecessor did”, he added.
Commenting on Dr. Willie Walsh’s retirement as Bishop of Killaloe, Mayor Curtin said: “Bishop Walsh is above all a highly respected pastoral figure whose compassion and progressive thinking sets him apart. This is very apparent in the way he comfortably, delicately and effectively handled matters of significance for members of the Church, as well as the wider community the Diocese. His work is recognised and appreciated by senior members of the Catholic Church in Ireland and further afield.
“I would like to wish Bishop Walsh a very happy and peaceful retirement and in doing so wish Bishop O’Reilly every success in his new role”, concluded the Mayor.
Biography of Bishop Kieran O’Reilly:
- Born: Cork City, 8th August 1952 – the eldest of five children born to Seán and Teresa O’Reilly
- Primary education at Presentation Brothers, Scoil Chríost Rí, Turner’s Cross
- Secondary Education at Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork
- Joined the Society of African Missions in Wilton, Cork in 1970
- Received Bachelor of Arts Degree from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1974 followed by a Bachelor of Divinity in 1977 and a Diploma in Mission Studies in 1978
- Fully professed as a member of the Society of African Missions on the 10th April 1977
- Ordained priest for the Society of African Missions on June 17th 1978
- Worked in the Archdiocese of Monrovia in Liberia from 1978 to 1980
- Studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute from 1980 to 1984 graduating with a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (LSS)
- Lecturer in Sacred Scripture (New Testament Studies) in Sts. Peter and Paul’s Seminary, Ibadan, Nigeria from 1984 to 1989
- Served as a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of the Society of African Missions between 1989 and 1995
- Vicar General of the Society of African Missions from 1995 to 2001
- Elected as the 11th Superior General of the Society of African Missions from 2001 to 2007
- Attended two Synods of Bishops – On the Word of God in 2008 and the 2nd Special Synod for Africa in 2009 – as a member representing the Union of Superiors General
-ENDS-
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Biography of Bishop Kieran O’Reilly:
- Born: Cork City, 8th August 1952 – the eldest of five children born to Seán and Teresa O’Reilly
- Primary education at Presentation Brothers, Scoil Chríost Rí, Turner’s Cross
- Secondary Education at Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork
- Joined the Society of African Missions in Wilton, Cork in 1970
- Received Bachelor of Arts Degree from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1974 followed by a Bachelor of Divinity in 1977 and a Diploma in Mission Studies in 1978
- Fully professed as a member of the Society of African Missions on the 10th April 1977
- Ordained priest for the Society of African Missions on June 17th 1978
- Worked in the Archdiocese of Monrovia in Liberia from 1978 to 1980
- Studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute from 1980 to 1984 graduating with a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (LSS)
- Lecturer in Sacred Scripture (New Testament Studies) in Sts. Peter and Paul’s Seminary, Ibadan, Nigeria from 1984 to 1989
- Served as a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of the Society of African Missions between 1989 and 1995
- Vicar General of the Society of African Missions from 1995 to 2001
- Elected as the 11th Superior General of the Society of African Missions from 2001 to 2007
- Attended two Synods of Bishops – On the Word of God in 2008 and the 2nd Special Synod for Africa in 2009 – as a member representing the Union of Superiors General
