Former bishop of Galway Dr Eamonn Casey may be asked to perform church duties in south Galway if he is cleared of recent abuse allegations.
Dr Casey would not be involved in any pastoral activities for "the foreseeable future", Fr Patrick Callanan, parish priest of Kilbeacanty and Beagh, said at Mass in Shangaglish church, Beagh, Co Galway yesterday, where Dr Casey is due to live.
"But when he is allowed, and if he so wishes, I will be delighted to let him get involved in the parish," Fr Callanan said.
The parish of Beagh is about three miles south of Gort.
Speaking after Mass yesterday, parishioners confirmed that they had been consulted beforehand by Fr Callanan about Dr Casey's possible move there. They welcomed it and hoped he would take up pastoral duties.
Archbishop of Tuam Dr Michael Neary led welcomes by church figures and politicians:
"I have no doubt that the people of the west of Ireland will warmly welcome Bishop Éamonn back amongst us. It is my hope that he will be afforded a peaceful and private retirement in Galway."
Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan said yesterday that a public apology from Dr Casey "would be very welcome". It would be "part of the healing process", he said on RTÉ Radio 1's News at One.
"There was immense hurt and pain the time he left Ireland," Dr Drennan told journalists in Clarenbridge, Co Galway on Saturday night. "What I have been impressed by is the quality of forgiveness I have heard around Galway from people and priests . . . that says not only can he come back, but that he'll be welcome back. That's a huge tribute to Irish people."
Dr Drennan said that a Garda investigation into abuse allegations made against Dr Casey late last year was continuing.
Guidelines would be applied here as they had in England, meaning Dr Casey would not be allowed unsupervised access to children, his activities would be monitored and the police would be made aware of his movements, he said.
"What happened in the past has shocked people and we expect him now to live as any priest would live, to live in celibacy and to live with the standards that any priest would expect to live in his own life," Dr Drennan said.
Mayor of Galway Cllr Brian Walsh (FG) also welcomed news of Dr Casey's return. A former mayor and Labour Party president Michael D Higgins said there was "not a jot of good in imposing a punishment of exile on him".
Mr Higgins praised Dr Casey's "courageous" stance 25 years ago when he helped to persuade US bishops to oppose giving arms to El Salvador.
During the visit of US president Ronald Reagan to Galway, Dr Casey had declined a request from gardaí to remove protesters, including Mr Higgins, from the Galway cathedral grounds, Mr Higgins added.