Kieran O’Reilly
Encyclopedia
Kieran O’Reilly SMA
(born 8 August 1952) is the bishop of Killaloe
since his appointment was announced by Pope Benedict XVI
on 18 May 2010.
O’Reilly was born in Cork in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in 1952. In 1970, he entered the noviciate of the Society of African Missions in Wilton, Cork.
He subsequently attended courses in philosophy and theology at St Patrick's College, Maynooth
. In 1974 he was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Literature, then in theology in 1977 and in 1978 the Diploma in missionary studies. On 10 April 1977, with the perpetual vow, he became a permanent member of the Society of African Missions (SMA). He was ordained a priest on 17 June 1978.
After ordination he served for two years in pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Monrovia, Liberia
. In 1980 he was sent to the Pontifical Biblical Institute
, Rome, where he obtained in 1984, his Licentiate
in Sacred Scripture. He was subsequently Professor of Biblical Studies at the seminary in Ibadan
, Nigeria
.
From 1990 to 1995 he was a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of his Institute, based in Cork. In May 1995 he was elected Vicar General and in 2001, Superior General of the Society of African Missions, and was then reelected to a second term in 2007.
His appointment was announced by Pope Benedict XVI on 18 May 2010. The speed with which a successor to Bishop Walsh was named is notable as it normally takes a year to name a new diocesan ordinary. He is currently the youngest-serving Bishop
in Ireland
. He was ordained on 29 August 2010.
Society of African Missions
The Society of African Missions is a Roman Catholic missionary organization. Its members come from around the world with a commitment to serve the people of Africa and those of African descent....
(born 8 August 1952) is the bishop of Killaloe
Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe
The Diocese of Killaloe is a Roman Catholic diocese in mid-western Ireland. It is one of six suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Cashel and is subject to the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. The diocese is in the secular province of the same name - Munster...
since his appointment was announced by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 18 May 2010.
O’Reilly was born in Cork in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in 1952. In 1970, he entered the noviciate of the Society of African Missions in Wilton, Cork.
He subsequently attended courses in philosophy and theology at St Patrick's College, Maynooth
St Patrick's College, Maynooth
St Patrick's College, Maynooth is the "National Seminary for Ireland" , and a Pontifical University, located in the village of Maynooth, 15 miles from Dublin, Ireland. The college and seminary are often referred to as Maynooth College. The college was officially established as the Royal College...
. In 1974 he was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Literature, then in theology in 1977 and in 1978 the Diploma in missionary studies. On 10 April 1977, with the perpetual vow, he became a permanent member of the Society of African Missions (SMA). He was ordained a priest on 17 June 1978.
After ordination he served for two years in pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Monrovia, Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. In 1980 he was sent to the Pontifical Biblical Institute
Pontifical Biblical Institute
The Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy is an institution of the Holy See run by the Jesuits that offers instruction at the university level...
, Rome, where he obtained in 1984, his Licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in Sacred Scripture. He was subsequently Professor of Biblical Studies at the seminary in Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
From 1990 to 1995 he was a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of his Institute, based in Cork. In May 1995 he was elected Vicar General and in 2001, Superior General of the Society of African Missions, and was then reelected to a second term in 2007.
His appointment was announced by Pope Benedict XVI on 18 May 2010. The speed with which a successor to Bishop Walsh was named is notable as it normally takes a year to name a new diocesan ordinary. He is currently the youngest-serving Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He was ordained on 29 August 2010.