Michael Smith (Bishop)
Encyclopedia
Michael Smith is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, Ireland
.
, the son of Julia Tuite and ? Smith. Having studied for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome, he was ordained a priest for the diocese on 9 March 1963. Continuing his studies in Rome he earned a Doctorate in Canon Law. He attended all 168 days of the Second Vatican Council for which he and 11 other young priests prepared the official record, having been appointed as a recording secretary to the Council immediately after his ordination
as a priest
. Returning from Rome he served in the Cathedral Parish of Mullingar, as chaplain to St Loman's Hospital and as secretary to the bishop.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
of the diocese and Titular Bishop
of Leges on 17 November 1983. He was ordained a bishop on 29 January 1984. The Principal Consecrator
was Tomás Cardinal Ó Fiaich
; his Principal Co-Consecrators were Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi
, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland
, and Cahal Daly, then Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
On 13 October 1988, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop
with the Right of Succession. On 16 May 1990 he succeeded Dr. John McCormack on the latter's retirement
.
he has served as Secretary
to the Irish
Bishops' Conference and has been actively involved in Church
matters. Regarded as a traditional bishop he is well respected both by the people of his diocese
and those in public life. He was considered by many as a possible successor to Desmond Connell
, the Archbishop of Dublin
before the appointment of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. He is also a possible candidate to assume a post of responsibility in the Roman Curia
in the Vatican
.
He takes a keen interest in world affairs and has led fund-raising campaigns to assist the victims of earthquakes in South America and victims of the recent Tsunami in South East Asia.
In October 2006 he travelled to Rome with the other bishops of Ireland for their five-yearly ad limina visit to the Pope.
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...
.
Career
He was born in Oldcastle, County MeathOldcastle, County Meath
Oldcastle is a town in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the north-west of the county near the border with Cavan, approximately 21 km from Kells. The R154 and R195 regional roads cross in the town's market square...
, the son of Julia Tuite and ? Smith. Having studied for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome, he was ordained a priest for the diocese on 9 March 1963. Continuing his studies in Rome he earned a Doctorate in Canon Law. He attended all 168 days of the Second Vatican Council for which he and 11 other young priests prepared the official record, having been appointed as a recording secretary to the Council immediately after his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
as a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. Returning from Rome he served in the Cathedral Parish of Mullingar, as chaplain to St Loman's Hospital and as secretary to the bishop.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the diocese and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Leges on 17 November 1983. He was ordained a bishop on 29 January 1984. The Principal Consecrator
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
was Tomás Cardinal Ó Fiaich
Tomás Cardinal Ó Fiaich
Tomás Séamus Ó Fiaich was an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1977 until his death. He was created a Cardinal in 1979...
; his Principal Co-Consecrators were Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi
Gaetano Alibrandi
Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi of the Roman Catholic Church was a senior papal diplomat and former Personal Secretary to Giovanni Battista Montini .Mgr. Alibrandi was ordained priest on 1 November 1936, and Consacreted Bishop in 1961...
, the Apostolic Nuncio to 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...
, and Cahal Daly, then Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
On 13 October 1988, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
with the Right of Succession. On 16 May 1990 he succeeded Dr. John McCormack on the latter's retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
.
Recent
In his years as Bishop of MeathRoman Catholic Diocese of Meath
The Diocese of Meath is a Roman Catholic diocese in eastern Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses which are subject to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Armagh...
he has served as Secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
to the Irish
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...
Bishops' Conference and has been actively involved in Church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
matters. Regarded as a traditional bishop he is well respected both by the people of his diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
and those in public life. He was considered by many as a possible successor to Desmond Connell
Desmond Connell
Desmond Connell is a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. He is a former Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. He was born in Dublin....
, the Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Church of Ireland has a similar role, heading the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. In both cases, the Archbishop is also Primate of Ireland...
before the appointment of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. He is also a possible candidate to assume a post of responsibility in the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
in the Vatican
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
.
He takes a keen interest in world affairs and has led fund-raising campaigns to assist the victims of earthquakes in South America and victims of the recent Tsunami in South East Asia.
In October 2006 he travelled to Rome with the other bishops of Ireland for their five-yearly ad limina visit to the Pope.