"The title of bishop is one not of honour but of function, and therefore a bishop should strive to serve rather than to rule," the Catholic Primate, Cardinal Seán Brady, said in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, yesterday.
He was speaking in St Nathy's Cathedral at the consecration of Dr Brendan Kelly as Bishop of Achonry, a diocese that takes in parts of Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon. He succeeds Bishop Thomas Flynn, the longest-serving bishop on the Irish Episcopal Conference, who has retired after 31 years.
Cardinal Brady was principal consecrator, with Archbishop Micheal Neary of Tuam and Bishop Flynn as co-consecrators.
In his homily Canon Tommy Johnston, parish priest of Charlestown, said "the call of our diocese today is not so much for a leader who will have all sorts of policies and programmes . . . the primary focus of our message must be the person of Jesus Christ . . . 'presented as he really is, a living, fascinating person '," he said, quoting Pope John Paul. "I believe that our new bishop is a person equal to this task," he said.
Bishop Kelly warmly thanked representatives of churches and State present, as well as family and friends. To the priests of the diocese he said "my deepest prayer is that together we will form a fraternity of truly good shepherds for the people . . ."
Addressing Bishop Flynn he expressed "a most particular word of gratitude to you today agus me ag tíocht mar chomharba ort ar an Deoise arsa seo to which you have given your entire life. You welcomed me with a great smile and a generous heart, and did I detect a little lightness of spirit as the time has come to step aside after 31 years of total service? You deserve that lightness of heart."
This was followed by a prolonged round of applause from a packed cathedral.
The President was represented by Capt Lorraine Fahy, and the Taoiseach by Capt Michael Treacy. Minister of State for Health Jimmy Devins represented the Government. Pope Benedict was represented by the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazarotto.
Present also were a large contingent of bishops from the Irish Episcopal Conference, as well as the Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Achonry, and Killala, Bishop Richard Henderson, and a large number of priests from Achonry and Galway dioceses. Also present were local TDs.