This afternoon (Sunday February 8th 2015) saw the Installation of the new Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Archdiocese, His Grace Kieran O’Reilly, SMA, in the Cathedral of The Assumption, Cathedral Street, here in Thurles, [Map Ref.].
His Grace, a native of Cork who was initially appointed Archbishop of Cashel & Emly on November 22nd 2014, was Installed in front of a packed Cathedral.
In his homily today, Feb. 8th, latter date the first ever International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking; His Grace, as expected, spoke about one of Pope Francis’ top social and political priorities, that of “Human Trafficking.”
Archbishop O’Reilly stated that trafficking in human beings is an illegal industry estimated to affect between 21 and 32 million people around the world, generating between $100 billion and $150 billion in annual profits for criminal classes. He emphasised the need to stamp out this current evil and pointed out that ‘Human Trafficking’ was a matter of grave concern to Pope Francis from his time spent in Argentina and was a core preoccupation of the reigning papacy of His Holiness.
His Grace also spoke about the Sudanese-born former slave St. Josephine Margaret Bakhita, now, since the year 2000, considered a patron saint for trafficking victims and declared thus by the late Pope St. John Paul II.
Amongst those in attendance at Archbishop O’Reilly’s Installation today were; the Irish Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Aide de Comps for both the President and Taoiseach, retired former Cashel & Emly and also former Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne Archbishop Dr Dermot Clifford, numerous Diocesan Bishops, Rev. Mgr. Christy O’Dwyer, historian and retired Rev. Mgr. Dr Maurice Dooley, Clergy and Christians from Diocese both at home and abroad, including Archbishop O’Reilly’s former Killaloe Diocese; the latter whom he had served as Bishop since 2010.
Others attending included members of his Religious Congregation, latter the Society of African Missions, Senior Gardaí, personal close family members and friends including his mother, together with numerous Sporting Personalities, Politicians, County Councillors and their chosen representatives.
As at going to press tonight a live stream by A.V. Star Systems in partnership with Flexiweb showing today’s events can still be viewed on line at http://new.livestream.com/accounts/3124721/events/3788067
Your Grace, “Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat” to Thurles, Co Tipperary.
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