The Holy Father, Pope Francis has today appointed Bishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in succession to Archbishop Dermot Clifford who submitted his resignation on completion of his 75^th year of age. It is expected that Bishop Kieran will be installed as Archbishop in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles early in 2015.

Commenting on his appointment Bishop O’Reilly said that he is accepting this appointment and looking forward to serving all of the people of the Diocese of Cashel and Emly. “I look forward to getting to know all those with whom I will be working so that we can strive together to build up a faith community that lives the joy of the Gospel

One of the consequences of my acceptance of this appointment is that I must now leave the Diocese of Killaloe where I have served as Bishop for over four years. In that time I have been privileged to work and serve with a deeply committed group of priests and people. I have encountered so many people with a great love for Jesus Christ and commitment for the life of the Church. I will always treasure the personal friendships I have made and give thanks to God for the support I have received here in the Diocese of Killaloe. I pledge to keep all of you in my prayers and gently request that you might do the same for me as I take up this new appointment.

A new appointment brings with it new challenges but with the support of all those who will collaborate with me in my ministry in Cashel and Emly I know that we will rise to meet those challenges. My first task will be to come to know the Archdiocese, its people, its religious and its priests. It will be my privilege to share in their lives of faith and to listen to their concerns so that together we might grow in faith, in hope and in love.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the warm welcome I have received from Archbishop Clifford, to thank him for almost 30 years of devoted service to this faith community and to pray God’s blessing on him for a long and happy retirement.”