Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Canon William Crean, parish priest of Caherciveen, has been appointed Bishop of Cloyne.
Canon William Crean was born in Tralee in St. Brendan’s parish. He is one of a large family and his brother Tom Crean is parish priest of Kenmare. He attended St Patrick’s college Maynooth and The Gregorian University Rome. Following parish work in a number of parishes including Glenbeigh and Killorglin, he worked in Adult Religious Education for Kerry diocese. He was chaplain to Tarbert Comprehensive. He carried out well received and pioneering work in the area of catechesis. He engaged lay people in nourishing training all over the diocese. His work as parish priest in both Castlegregory and Caherciveen involved spearheading major church renovation projects. In this work again he empowered teams of people to both identify the work needed and to make it progress. He has been a key person in the setting up and the on-going support of Radio Kerry. He is a gifted and well loved man and leader. We are sorry to see him leave Kerry diocese, but wish him every blessing in his work as the new bishop of Cloyne.
Bishop Bill Murphy responds to his appointment:
I wholeheartedly congratulate Canon William Crean on his appointment today by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, as the new Bishop of Cloyne. Canon Crean is an outstanding priest and is much loved by the vibrant faith community of the Parish of Cahirciveen. Canon Crean has held a number of key responsibilities within the Diocese of Kerry and has been successful in each of them. The priests and people of Cloyne are also to be congratulated as they prepare to receive such an exemplary pastor as William Crean. I pray for success in his new ministry. Kerry’s loss is Cloyne’s gain!
Cardinal Brady congratulates Canon William Crean on his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of Cloyne. Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference today welcomed the news that Canon William Crean, Parish Priest of Cahirciveen, has been appointed Bishop of Cloyne by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. Speaking from Rome ahead of the start of today’s consistory which will see the creation of seven new cardinals in Saint Peter’s Basilica by Pope Benedict, Cardinal Brady said:
On this the feast of Saint Colman, patron saint of the Diocese of Cloyne, I warmly welcome the news that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has named Canon William Crean, Parish Priest of Cahirciveen, Bishop of Cloyne. I congratulate Canon Crean and I wish him all the blessing and help he needs as he prepares to take on this new and challenging ministry. I am confident that his ability and experience will greatly benefit the pastoral life of the diocese and, in addition, to the Irish Bishops’ Conference.
I look forward to welcoming Canon Crean to the Bishops’ Conference and I am sure that the people of Cloyne will welcome him to their diocese with love and prayerful support. I believe that his appointment augurs well for the Year of Faith not only in Cloyne but throughout the parishes and dioceses of Ireland