A PLEA for Catholics to make greater use of the Bible has been made by the newly appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Kilmore, Father Leo O'Reilly.
Father O'Reilly, who will eventually succeed the present bishop, Dr Francis McKiernan (70), is the second parish priest of Castletara, Co Cavan, to become a bishop in less than two years. His predecessor was Dr Sean Brady, now Catholic Primate and Archbishop of Armagh.
Father O'Reilly (52) is from Kill, near Cootehill, Co Cavan. A scripture scholar, he was director of studies at the Irish College in Rome in 1978-1981, and between 1988 and 1995 worked in Nigeria. He speaks five languages, including Hausa.
After yesterday's announcement Father O'Reilly said it was through the Scriptures that Christians came to know Christ and he looked forward to the day when parishes had several Bible study groups.
"I suppose most homes have a Bible, but to us Catholics it is still by and large a closed book. I would like to see our people using the Bible in their families for spiritual reading and for family prayer," he said.