Cathal BarryThe Dean of Kilfenora has expressed his surprise that Pope Francis has not moved to regularise its “anomalous” status as part of the diocese of Galway.
Fr Conor Cunningham’s comments follow an announcement by the Vatican that the Pope has “ordered the formal union” of the metropolitan see of Cashel with the ancient diocese of Emly.
The former Bishop of Killaloe Kieran O’Reilly will be installed as archbishop of the new ecclesiastical district, the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, on Sunday, February 8.
Prior this the Archbishop of Cashel was Apostolic Administrator of Emly.
Responding to the announcement on Twitter, Fr Cunningham, posted: “Interesting. Though I wonder why they didn’t also regularise the anomalous interprovincial status of the episkopé of Kilfenora.”
The Parish Priest of Lisdoonvarna and Kilshanny was referring to the current situation in a west of Ireland diocese.
Once the ancient diocese of Kilfenora, the deanery of Kilfenora now comprises six parishes in north Co. Clare.
The Diocese of Galway was established in 1831, and the parish chapel in Galway city became its pro-cathedral.
The diocese of Kilmacduagh was joined with Galway in 1883, and the Bishop of Galway was made the Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora.
The then bishop, Thomas Carr, was the first to be appointed with the title of Bishop of Galway & Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora. The current bishop Martin Drennan holds the same title.