Cathal BarryArchbishop Kieran O’Reilly has set out a number of key priorities for his ministry, writes Cathal Barry
Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly’s “journey” as the new leader of the Church in Cashel & Emly began in front of a packed-out cathedral in Co. Tipperary at the weekend.
Addressing his new flock at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles, the former Bishop of Killaloe committed himself to fostering “missionary communion” in his new archdiocese.
Before the ceremony, the archbishop was greeted in the cathedral courtyard by Msgr Christy O’Dwyer, Dean of the Diocesan Chapter and 12 men and women representing the deaneries of the diocese.
Msgr O’Dwyer then presented the archbishop with a crucifix as a sign that he was now “entrusted with the pastoral care” of the Church in Cashel & Emly.
Later, during the installation ceremony, Dr O’Reilly was presented with the book of the Gospels and a pastoral staff, further symbols of his duties to preach the Word of God and keep watch over his whole flock.
Welcome
Following a word of welcome from outgoing-archbishop Dermot Clifford and the Apostolic Mandate (papal bull of appointment) from Pope Francis was read by papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, Dr O’Reilly took possession of the chair (or cathedra) in the cathedral.
During the Mass, the archbishop used his homily to set out a number of priorities for his new mission.
First among them, he said, was to “preach the Word of God”.
“I take this commission today as a priority for the years of my ministry in the archdiocese, and invite you my friends and the people of Cashel & Emly to set out on a journey to become more familiar with the Word of God and its life-giving power,” Dr O’Reilly said.
“I have been invited to proclaim the Word and this has been for me the thought that is foremost in mymind as I prepared to take up the appointment that I have been entrusted with byPope Francis.”
Elsewhere in his homily, the new archbishop strongly condemned the “tragedy” of human trafficking and called on local communities to work to “eradicate” it.
“Remembering the tragedy that is human trafficking does not just relate to what is happening in distant countries far away; it also concerns us and our own country here,” Dr O’Reilly warned.
“We have a responsibility to effectively challenge and tackle trafficking which exists here in Europe. Wealthy countries are a source of demand for human trafficking. The first step is to open our eyes to the reality that trafficking may be happening around us in our local communities.
“Irish people are directly or indirectly encountering the victims of trafficking. We need to stay alert to this reality and work in our local communities to eradicate it,” he said.
Finally, the new archbishop committed himself to the tasks Pope Francis sets out for diocesan bishops in his key text The Joy of the Gospel.
“The bishop must always foster… missionary communion in his diocesan church,” Dr O’Reilly quoted.
“To do this he will sometimes go before his people, pointing the way and keeping their hope vibrant. At other times he will simply be in their midst with his unassuming and merciful presence. And yet other times, he will have to walk after them, helping those who lag behind and above all – allowing the flock to strike out on new paths.”
Dr O’Reilly said these tasks would act as a “blueprint” for his ministry and requested the “prayerful support” of his flock to help him to fulfil them.