New bishop admits sleepless nights followed appointment
The new Bishop-elect of the Meath diocese, Fr Thomas Deenihan, admitted in Mullingar on Monday that his initial reaction on being told of the Holy Father’s wish to appoint him to the diocese was one of fear.
“And there have been sleepless nights since, he continued stating that he felt an acute sense of being unworthy for the task, and for the enormity of the task.
“In the midst of this turmoil, my own bishop, Bishop Buckley, reassured me by saying that Cork, Meath and Westmeath people always get along unless they meet on the football field! Unfortunately we could be getting on for a while!” he joked.
Bishop-elect Deenihan, who replaces Michael Smith, said that a time of a new bishop is a time of uncertainty.
“But while a diocese and a bishop are important, the reality for the people that we serve is that the parish and the local parish clergy are what matter.
“In that sense, a bishop, I believe, must support and be with the priests of a Diocese.”
Giving his impression of the Diocese of Meath, Bishop-elect Deenihan said he viewed it as having a unified and a talented clergy and younger too than many other dioceses. The Meath diocese cover large parts of Offaly.
“In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to meeting the priests of the Diocese and visiting the various parishes,” he said, before going on to add that those parishes could also not survive without the work and expertise of the laity, who give of their talents willingly and freely," said the Cork native.
Bishop-elect Deenihan said that he was conscious also that linked to Pastoral Ministry is joy.
“Pope Francis referred to this in Evangelii Gaudium (85) when he stated that one of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a ‘defeatism that can turn us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, sourpusses’!
“May I ask you to pray with me that we will keep and value that sense of joy as we work together in continually building and sustaining a welcoming and compassionate Church.”
Outlining his interest in education, and speaking of the need for vocations, Bishop-elect Deenihan said he particularly appreciated the presence of pupils and teachers from the local parish schools at Monday’s Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King.
Concluding with his thanks to the Papal Nuncio and to Bishop Smith, he said that while Bishop Smith deserved a long and happy retirement, he also hoped that he would be present, active and feel welcome in the Diocese and in diocesan celebrations in the years ahead.
He extended thanks also to his own Bishop, John Buckley; and, for organising that morning’s announcement, to Father Paul Crosbie, the Diocesan Secretary, and Father Padraig McMahon, the Cathedral Administrator.
Somewhat poignantly, Bishop-elect Deenihan admitted he found it difficult to leave his family, friends and clerical colleagues, Cork and particularly West Cork, behind.
“In that context, the welcome and kind words that I have received are much appreciated as I prepare to move to my new home here in Mullingar,” he told the congregation.