Vatican City, 27 February 2013 (VIS) –
Today the Holy Father:
- accepted the resignation presented by Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Clifford of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Ireland, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
- accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, England, presented by Archbishop Patrick Altham Kelly, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
My Comment: I wish both men well. Health reasons were involved.
I hope that the Liverpool vacancy is not filled by switching chairs. it is an opportunity for an additional Catholic to be added to the Conference rather than moving one from an existing diocese.
Statement by Bishop Gerard Clifford on his retirement
“The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has granted my request for retirement as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh on the grounds of my ill health. I am very grateful to Pope Benedict for doing so especially at this momentous time in his own life and ministry.
“My decision to retire as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh is based on medical advice which I have been receiving since last August. It is with great sadness that I come to today’s decision: having grown up locally in the diocese – born in the parish of Lordship & Ballymascanlon in 1941 – and as priest and auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Armagh, I have received great warmth and affection throughout my ministry from the people of the diocese. I thank them for their support in my 21 years as Auxiliary Bishop.
“At this time I wish to pay tribute to Cardinal Seán Brady and to the priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh. Cardinal Brady has been a model episcopal colleague; his humanity, deep faith and natural humility bear witness to the most fundamental of Gospel values.
“Whilst the pastoral work and responsibilities of being bishop and priest in twenty-first century Ireland are both challenging and complex, it is nonetheless a deeply rewarding vocation for anyone called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. I also take this opportunity to pray God’s strength and guidance for all priests and members of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, in their ministries of proclaiming God’s Kingdom.
“I look forward to continuing my pastoral work in collaboration and with the support of the bishops, priests and lay people of the Archdiocese. As I take on a different role I will continue, God willing, to promote and foster the Gospel message in its fullness. I ask that you remember me in your prayers today and in the future.”
My Comment: I wish both men well. Health reasons were involved.
I hope that the Liverpool vacancy is not filled by switching chairs. it is an opportunity for an additional Catholic to be added to the Conference rather than moving one from an existing diocese.
And may we hope that a priest of the ilk of Bishops Egan & Davies may be appointed to carry on the good work begun by Pope Benedict in strengthening the traditional values of the episcopate in England & Wales
ReplyDeleteYou are right Father. There are over 4000 priests in the UK, so surely a new archbishop can be found from that number. Archbishop Downey of Liverpool (1928-53) was a simple priest before his appointment, like all but one of his predecessors.
ReplyDeleteCardinal Gantin, Cardinal Dean and former Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, in an interview with 30 Giorni in May 1999 argued that once nominated, bishops should remain in their dioceses, except in "grave cases". In addition, he said that so-called cardinalitial sees should be discontinued, and the cardinate awarded on the basis of personal merit.
I think arch/bishops in what are traditionally known as cardinalitial sees can assist in this kind reform by proposing priests, whom they think have something to contribute to the universal church, to the Holy See to for elevation to the cardinalate. Instead of regularly flying to and from Rome and busying themselves with bureaucratic affairs, bishops should be in their diocese, speaheading the new evangelisation.