Cathal BarryIreland’s newest bishop has spoken of his recent pilgrimage to Rome as “a positive and encouraging experience”.
Participating in the gathering of newly-appointed bishops from around the world, from September 11-19, Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin joined prelates for an intensive week of seminars aimed at equipping ‘baby bishops’, as Bishop Doran called them, to face their new challenges.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic during the nine-day course, Bishop Doran said he had so far been “encouraged” by the gathering.
“It really opens your eyes to the challenges that are vastly different in different parts of the world. It’s also a valuable opportunity to meet other bishops which is the most useful in the end,” the bishop said.
He recalled meeting new bishops from Baghdad and Kirkuk in Iraq “who begin their ministry in difficult circumstances, with many of their people literally fleeing for their lives in the face of persecution”.
Pressed on a highlight, Bishop Doran said he felt “humbled” during a Mass together in St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday. “There was something very special about gathering with all the others around the Altar of the Chair. I was conscious that, just fifty years ago, the Second Vatican Council was taking place in the same space. It is our task to continue the renewal of the Church which began with the Council,” he said.