Philip Leo O'Reilly
Encyclopedia
Leo O'Reilly D.D., is the current Bishop
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore
. A native of Kill, County Cavan
, he was ordained a priest in 1969. Before being appointed Bishop he served as the parish priest of Castletara (Ballyhaise
), a post in which he succeeded Seán Brady
, who later became Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh
.
The family later moved to Kilconny, Belturbet. He received his early education in Drumnatrade and Tullyvin National Schools and later in St Patrick's College, Cavan. He studied for the priesthood in Maynooth College and was ordained in 1969.
He was a member of the staff in St Patrick's College until 1976 when he went to Rome to do further studies. He served on the staff of the Pontifical Irish College
from 1978 until 1980. Having received a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University
in 1981 he was appointed chaplain to Bailieboro Community School.
In a report published by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church on 30 November 2011 Kilmore was said to be a “model of best practice” in child protection, mainly due to the “personal commitment and diligence” of Bishop Leo O’Reilly, a review into safeguarding children has found. Allegations against seven priests received since 1975 were identified by the board for the Review of Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in the Kilmore diocese. There were no cases of a failure to report or address matters when they came to light and all the allegations were reported to the Garda and the Health Service Executive (or health boards), the review found. There were no examples of “poor practice” since Bishop O’Reilly was appointed in 1998. The board praised the bishop’s approach as an “excellent example” for others to follow.
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...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore
Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore is a Roman Catholic diocese which is mainly in the Republic of Ireland although a few parishes are in Northern Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses which are subject to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Armagh...
. A native of Kill, County Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
, he was ordained a priest in 1969. Before being appointed Bishop he served as the parish priest of Castletara (Ballyhaise
Ballyhaise
-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland* List of Market Houses in Ireland...
), a post in which he succeeded Seán Brady
Seán Brady
Seán Baptist Brady is an Irish cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the current Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 2007.-Early life and education:...
, who later became Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop of Armagh
The Archbishop of Armagh is the title of the presiding ecclesiastical figure of each of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in the region around Armagh in Northern Ireland...
.
The family later moved to Kilconny, Belturbet. He received his early education in Drumnatrade and Tullyvin National Schools and later in St Patrick's College, Cavan. He studied for the priesthood in Maynooth College and was ordained in 1969.
He was a member of the staff in St Patrick's College until 1976 when he went to Rome to do further studies. He served on the staff of the Pontifical Irish College
Pontifical Irish College
The Pontifical Irish College is a Roman Catholic seminary for the training and education of priests, in Rome.-Foundation and early history:Towards the close of the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII had sanctioned the foundation of an Irish college in Rome, and had assigned a large sum of money...
from 1978 until 1980. Having received a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in 1981 he was appointed chaplain to Bailieboro Community School.
In a report published by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church on 30 November 2011 Kilmore was said to be a “model of best practice” in child protection, mainly due to the “personal commitment and diligence” of Bishop Leo O’Reilly, a review into safeguarding children has found. Allegations against seven priests received since 1975 were identified by the board for the Review of Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in the Kilmore diocese. There were no cases of a failure to report or address matters when they came to light and all the allegations were reported to the Garda and the Health Service Executive (or health boards), the review found. There were no examples of “poor practice” since Bishop O’Reilly was appointed in 1998. The board praised the bishop’s approach as an “excellent example” for others to follow.