Pic: Gareth Williams / Press 22
THE recent enthronement of Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick Rt Revd Kenneth Kearon had “a great sense of a city again gathering in Christ”, Catholic Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said.
Welcoming Bishop Kearon’s formal enthronement at St Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Leahy said it was a privilege to be at such a symbolic and hopeful ceremony.
“There was a great sense of togetherness in Christian faith at St Mary’s Cathedral for Bishop Kearon’s formal enthronement. It was a service laced with symbolism, with hope and with public commitment before God and his people but, at the same time, the new bishop acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead in society today, challenges for the family and personal identity,” said Bishop Leahy.
“There was very much a message also that we must go out and engage with the world, working especially for reconciliation at all levels and that is a message for all Christian faiths. The service reflected well the type of person that Bishop Kearon is.”
Bishop Leahy described Bishop Kearon as “a very kind man, full of energy and enthusiasm, not least for ecumenism, and Limerick will be all the better for his presence here”, and wished him and his wife and daughters “a happy time here”.
Elsewhere, Bishop Leahy also said that he “looks forward to continuing a close working relationship with Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly” following his recent formal installation as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly.
The ordination sees Archbishop O’Reilly become the Metropolitan Archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Cashel, which includes the diocese of Limerick.
Bishop Leahy also expressed his gratitude to his predecessor, Archbishop Dermot Clifford for his support over the years.
