Bishop Leo O’Reilly welcomes appointment by Pope Francis of Father Martin Hayes as Bishop of Kilmore

Bishop Leo O’ Reilly welcomes appointment by Pope Francis of Father Martin Hayes as Bishop of Kilmore

I warmly welcome the appointment of Very Reverend Martin Hayes of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly as my successor as Bishop of Kilmore.  I know that the people of Kilmore, priests, religious and lay, will make him very welcome too and take him to their hearts.  I heartily congratulate him on his appointment and trust that he will soon feel at home in his new surroundings and among his new flock.

I have only just made the acquaintance of Father Martin and I look forward to getting to know him better when he is ordained bishop and takes up residence here.  I wish to assure him that I will be available, and more than willing to assist him in any way I can, as he begins to find his way around the diocese and his new responsibilities as Bishop in the weeks and months ahead.

I wish to express my gratitude to Monsignor Liam Kelly, who, in addition to his work as parish priest, has been Apostolic Administrator of the diocese since my retirement.  I thank him for his personal care and kindness to me since I retired, and I compliment him on carrying out the task of Administrator with characteristic humility, diligence and competence.

Bishop-elect Martin takes up his task at a very challenging time for the Church and for society in Ireland.  His ministry as a priest in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and particularly his work in the area of pastoral development and renewal there, has prepared him well for the task ahead.  I assure him of my prayerful support and I wish him every blessing and happiness in his new role as Bishop of Kilmore.