Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly has extended good wishes to all Tipp Mid West Radio listeners for Christmas and the New Year.
The Bishop thanked those that are actively involved in the Church community of all their work during the year.
Bishop O’Reilly also sends good wishes to Irish people abroad especially members of the Defence Forces and those working with aid agencies in many parts of the world. He says Ireland is proud of their work.
Eighty six year old Pope Francis is praised by the Archbishop for his ongoing energy and efforts in leading the Church – the Pope is to visit the Congo region in the new year.
Delivering the Diocesan Plan – “Seeds of Hope” will be a challenge for the church in the Cashel and Emly diocese but the Bishop says new ways of cooperating between parishes is essential given the continuing decline in vocations.
There will be a greater role of the laity going forward and fewer Mass times in each parish.
Archbishop O’Reilly is to meet with the new Bishop for the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, Bishop Adrian Wilkinson, in the new year and says Christian Unity Week gives an opportunity for closer relations between the Churches that are preaching the same message.
