Most. Rev Bishop Leo O’Reilly was delighted to celebrate mass at the Conaty Chapel at St. Patricks College/Kilmore Pastoral Centre one more time as Bishop on Friday afternoon, as the school held a mass and celebration on the occassion of his retirement. Celebrating mass with Bishop Leo were (from left) Fr John McTiernan, Fr Kevin Fay, Fr. John Murphy, Most. Rev Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Fr Andrew Tully, Fr John Gilhooly and Fr Donal Kilduff. Photo: Lorraine Teevan Staff and students of St Patrick’s College, Cavan, gathered earlier this month to thank Dr Leo O’Reilly, former Bishop of Kilmore, for his much-appreciated work in the diocese on the occasion of his retirement.
Bishop O’Reilly said his last Mass in Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre’s Conaty Chapel on March 8 in the presence of the school’s representatives and pupils, of which he is the patron, as well as a former student and teacher.
After over 50 years of dedicated ministry, last December Pope Francis accepted Dr O’Reilly’s resignation as Bishop of Kilmore which was offered ahead of his 75th birthday on health grounds. Bishop Francis Duffy of Ardagh and Clonmacnois said he had brought “exemplary leadership to the people, priests, deacons and religious of the Diocese of Kilmore”, and that his approach “generated a sense of care, direction and stability”.
Msgr Liam Kelly, diocesan administrator of Kilmore, will be responsible for leading the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop by Pope Francis.