Michael KellyNew Primate brings the changing face of the hierarchy in to sharp focus
Archbishop Eamon Martin’s succession this week as Primate of All-Ireland brings the changing face of the hierarchy in to sharp focus.
Just ten serving bishops of Ireland’s 26 dioceses were appointed by Pope St John Paul II and that number will drop significantly in coming months. Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dr Dermot Clifford is expected to retire shortly having passed the mandatory retirement age of 75 in January. Clonfert Diocese is also awaiting the appointment of a new bishop since Dr John Kirby turns 76 next month. Similarly, Bishop John Buckley of Cork & Ross turns 75 in November, Bishop Philip Boyce of Raphoe turns 75 early in the New Year and Meath’s Bishop Michael Smith turns 75 next June.
Waterford & Lismore is also awaiting a new bishops since Dr William Lee stepped down last year due to ill health. The new bishop is expected to be announced before Christmas.
Ten serving diocesan bishops were appointed during the Pontificate of Benedict XVI from 2005-2013 while Pope Francis has so far appointed five. However, with the pending appointments, the Argentine Pontiff has the potential to appoint as many bishops in just over two years as Benedict did during his eight year Papacy.
Bishop Liam MacDaid of Clogher, who was appointed in May 2010, is the last bishop to have been chosen from among the clergy of the diocese.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Eamon Martin is expected to be elected President of the Irish bishops’ conference at the body’s next meeting in Maynooth. On succeeding Cardinal Brady, he automatically became Primate of All-Ireland as well as Archbishop of Armagh. Archbishop Eamon will have to wait until next June to be conferred with the pallium by Pope Francis in Rome. The woollen garment symbolises the archbishop’s unity with the See of Rome and also his authority as metropolitan archbishop.