BY JEROME HUGHES
SPECULATION is mounting regarding who will succeed Dr. Alan McGuckian as Bishop of Raphoe amid claims the Vatican might delay the decision in order to announce diocese amalgamations, a move that could signal the biggest shake-up of Irish Church structures in a generation.
When Dr. McGuckian, pictured right, takes up his new role as Bishop of Down and Connor at the start of next month, Raphoe’s College of Consultors will meet to choose a Diocesan Administrator.
“The fact that an administrator is not being appointed straight away leads me to believe that some sort of diocese amalgamation might be in the pipeline.
“There has been a lot of talk about this possibility in recent years,” one senior priest told the Donegal News.
Not wishing to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the subject, the senior cleric explained how priest numbers and mass attendance figures would be among the factors considered when deciding diocese boundaries and potential amalgamations.
“Any major reform could be controversial because church buildings, parishes and dioceses are steeped in history, and people care very much about local heritage,” warned the priest.
The College of Consultors is a diocesan body made up of around 12 priests, chosen by the Bishop from the Diocesan Council of Priests. Canon law requires the Bishop to consult with his College of Consultors before making certain decisions.
“It’s my understanding that, according to Canon law, the College must appoint an administrator to run the diocese within 8 days of Bishop McGuckian’s departure.
“The truth is we don’t know precisely when a decision will be made regarding Dr. McGuckian’s permanent replacement,” said the priest.
Bishop McGuckian confirmed in a statement last week that he will be returning to his native Diocese of Down and Connor within weeks:
“I was informed a short time ago by the Apostolic Nuncio that Pope Francis was asking this new service of me. It will be a great sorrow for me to leave so many wonderful friends here in Donegal. I have been overwhelmed during the past six years by the kindness and readiness of so many people to take me into their hearts. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to have been your Bishop.”
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