New bishop reaches out to non-practising Catholics

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore calls for prayers to promote vocations to church

The new bishop of Waterford and Lismore wants to reach out to Catholics who have "turned away" from the practice of the faith and said there were many people who could commit to the church, with encouragement.

During his ordination as bishop yesterday in Waterford, Canon Alphonsus Cullinan, or "Fr Phonsie" as he was referred to during the ceremony, called for prayers to promote vocations to the church.

“I am convinced that there are many more who, with the right encouragement, can be helped to make life commitments in the church, whether that be to marriage, religious life, the permanent diaconate, or the priesthood.”

New vocations

Later, speaking to the media, Bishop Cullinan said he would like to personally drive new vocations. “I’ve got to go out and ask, ‘would you consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life’, and we’ll see who will respond, and I’m sure that the Lord is still asking.”

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In his address he spoke of Catholics who were no longer active. “We reach out to those who have turned away from the practice of the faith, many of whom are in our own families and parish communities. How can we walk with them in a way that will help them to see once more the beauty of following Jesus?”

The bishop drew laughter when he asked the congregation "how the people in this part of the world are going to put up with a Clare man", before adding that someone had said "if you can put up with Davy Fitz. " in reference to the former Waterford hurling manager and current Clare boss.

Bishop Cullinan’s ordination means just one of Ireland’s 26 Catholic dioceses is now without a bishop – Killaloe, from where Dr Kieran O’Reilly was “translated” to Cashel and Emly as archbishop earlier this year.

Ordination

President Michael D Higgins was represented at the episcopal ordination by his aide-de- camp Lt Col Michael Kiernan, while Comdt Kieran Carey represented Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Chief ordaining prelate was Bishop Emeritus William Lee, who retired as bishop of Waterford and Lismore in 2013 because of ill-health.

Bishop Cullinan (55) is a former teacher and member of the Bunratty Castle Entertainers, and the ceremony included he and his family singing the psalms. Originally from Lahinch, he spent most of his years as a priest in Limerick and is a former chaplain of the regional hospital and Limerick Institute of Technology. He was most recently parish priest of Rathkeale.