SILVER JUBILEE OF THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION
OF BISHOP FRANCIS MCKIERNAN
CATHEDRAL OF ST. PATRICK & ST FELIM, CAVAN

SUNDAY DECEMBER 14, 1997

HOMILY BY CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

O give thanks to the Lord for he is good
For his love endures forever.

We come together today to celebrate. To celebrate the silver jubilee of the ordination of Bishop McKiernan’s, as Bishop of Kilmore, on 10 December 1972. We gather to give thanks to the Lord for he is good and has been particularly good to his people here in Kilmore over the last twenty-five years. We come to give praise to the Lord for the favours he has done down through the years in this diocese.

We celebrate this jubilee in the shadow of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. Then we shall be giving thanks and praise to God for the greatest event the world has ever known – the birth of its Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The custom of jubilees began in the Old Testament. They continue in the history of the Church. The Jubilee year was time dedicated, in a special way, to God. During the Jubilee year the land was not ploughed or cultivated; slaves were set free; and debts were cancelled.

I know that Bishop McKiernan would gladly have cancelled the debt of thanks and praise which we have come to pay here today. In fact when the idea was first suggested to him he remarked: “It will be like having to endure one’s funeral ahead of time”. Well this is certainly no funeral and nothing like a funeral but rather a celebration of life, the life of one particular diocese, and the celebration of God’s love for His people in that diocese.

Bishop McKiernan is well known for his love of history, especially for his love of the history of the diocese of Kilmore. He knows much better than I that this month he joins a small number of bishops who have served the people of this diocese for twenty-five years or more. Earlier this century there was Patrick Finnegan, a native of Corlurgan in this parish, and bishop from 1910 – 1937. The Wexford man, Bishop James Brown was here from 1829 – 1865. Bishop Denis Maguire, a native of Killesher, Co. Fermanagh was bishop from 1770 – 1798. Bishop Eugene MacSweeney came from Donegal and laboured here in tough and troubled times from 1628 – 1669. In his history of the diocese of Kilmore Philip O’Connell lists five others going back to Simon O’Rourke, who died in 1285, Conor McConsnamha who died in 1355 and who was a native of Drumkeeran. There were three others, Nicholas McBrady, probably from Castletara, bishop from 1394 – 1421, Tomas McBrady, also from Castletara, 1480 – 1511 and Richard Brady, a Franciscan, who was bishop from 1580 – 1607.

So today we congratulate you most heartily, Bishop Frank, on joining that small but distinguished club of ten who between you have given 250 years service to the leadership of the Church in Kilmore over the last 700 years.

Even though the times were different and their backgrounds were very varied, nevertheless the task that confronted each one of those remained fundamentally the same; that of carrying on, with the help of the priests, the work of Christ, the eternal pastor. It is the splendid task of being faithful to the teaching of the apostles and of building up the Church as the body of Christ. It is the noble work of sustaining the people of God strongly in their life of faith and love and of leading them confidently and hopefully in the ways of holiness. It means teaching people the Good News about Jesus Christ, and the News brought by Jesus Christ. But it means being, first of all, one who listens to that News oneself and lives it in one’s own life. It means praying for others and for oneself. It means being a witness to the light.

For his work of teaching the new Bishop of Kilmore had, by 1972, served a long and rigorous apprenticeship. I refer to his ten years teaching in St. Patrick’s College, Cavan and ten years in St. Felim’s, Ballinamore. I remember him as our well-prepared, enthusiastic and dedicated teacher of Irish in 1952/53 and again in 1954/55. He knew his pupils well and was interested in our progress, something which is of enormous value in fostering the potential of every pupil in the pursuit of excellence. His love of history was soon apparent. He gave us a sense of our identity – of who we were. I remember his trying to broaden our vision by recommending that we should read books like Daniel Corkery’s ‘Hidden Ireland’ – It was excellent advice of course but me thinks it sometimes fell on deaf ears.

When he was appointed Principal of the new St. Felim’s College, Ballinamore in 1962 he was responsible, along with the Principals of the Vocational School and of Meanscoil Fatima for a revolutionary idea of pooling the resources of three small schools in order to provide a full, comprehensive range of education for the children of the Ballinamore catchment area. It was not only a revolutionary idea but a visionary one. The vision was translated into reality to the advantage of all concerned and especially of the pupils who profited immensely from the development.

After his ordination as Bishop in 1972 he retained his interest in education and became a member of the Bishops Commission for Education and was, for many years, its spokesperson. This was at a time when the Government was taking more responsibility in the field of education, Bishop McKiernan played a very important role in negotiations which reconciled the parts of Church and State in education, especially in the post-primary sector. Painstaking negotiations, great diplomatic skills and sensitivity and deep convictions were required to ensure that the rapidly developing post-primary sector preserved a religious ethos. This was hard, demanding work, requiring understanding and common sense, patience and sensitivity and above all the clear conviction of the necessity and the value of integrating the old and the new. It was work that went without publicity but work that will endure.

In 1979 when Pope John Paul decided to visit Ireland Bishop McKiernan was appointed Chairman of the Organising Committee. It involved a huge amount of work, with a relatively small staff, in a short space of time. Bishop McKiernan carried it out with great tact and efficiency. He delegated others and trusted those whom he delegated, but carried the responsibility for the whole effort with modesty, without any desire for publicity or recognition and with considerable success.

I have mentioned these episodes as some of the highlights of a long and distinguished career but they are the easier ones to identify and describe. His more valuable and lasting contribution is something different and very precious. Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and they know me”. Bishop McKiernan certainly knows the people of his diocese, the lay faithful, the religious and the priests. He has acquired that knowledge through years of patient parish visitation, hospital visitation and school visitation. That intimate knowledge of the diocese, of its people and of its history and its traditions is a great driving force in his life of loving dedication and commitment to their well-being and progress. He is well aware of the high honour and heavy responsibility of being bishop of the ancient See of the Ui Briuin. Keenly conscious of how much we, of the present day, owe to the past, he has always devoted his time and energy and talents to increasing his own knowledge of our rich inheritance of faith that he might the more effectively live up to that heritage and hand it on to future generations and inspire others to devote their lives to this noble task.

We Christians believe that we have been put on this earth for a purpose, to share in God’s life. We believe that we achieve that purpose by giving rather than by receiving. By giving ourselves to God and to our neighbour in loving service. This is only possible if we meet God, a God who comes to us, who comes in search of us in His Son, Jesus Christ. We believe that the spirit of the Risen Christ is the eternal source of every gift that comes from God and that the Holy Spirit acts within the Church in the sacraments and in the variety works and gifts which are inspired for the good of the Church.

Today we thank God for the work of Bishop McKiernan over the last twenty-five years. We thank God for his strong faith, a faith nurtured on the word of God, nourished by prayer and the sacraments and enriched by a tender devotion to Mary the mother of God. We thank God for his wisdom and understanding, wisdom developed through study and reflection. We thank God for his courage and vision manifested in his leadership and decision-making. We thank God for his piety and his reverence which have inspired and edified many.

The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Many of us will have our own particular memories of those fruits so evident in the life of our Jubilarian. I am not going to embarrass him by reciting them in public. Many have experienced his kindness and goodness, especially in times of trouble or sickness, and have noted his humility and faithfulness.

In his apostolic letter for the millennium Pope John Paul says that: ‘in the Christian view of things every jubilee is a particular year of favour for the individual concerned’. A jubilee is a measurement of time and every one of these measurements of time is marked with the presence of God and his saving activity. So as we rejoice to celebrate this well deserved tribute we pray that this year will be one of particular grace not only for Bishop Frank but also for his Co-adjutor, Bishop Leo, and for their loyal and generous co-workers, the priests and religious of the diocese. But not only for those. Let it be a time when the presence and saving love of Christ may be really strong in every parish and in every home, and in every heart, from Kilmainhamwood to Kinlough, to the glory of God forever and ever

AMEN.

HOMILY GIVEN BY CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY
ON SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 1996
AT HIS INSTALLATION AS ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH

I welcome you all to Armagh today. I thank you for coming. I appreciate very much the words and expressions of welcome which I have just received. I imagine that many of us can recall a particular occasion when a word of welcome made all the difference.

I remember the first time I left Ireland. It was this time of year, thirty six years ago. I flew to Rome, it took all day. It was a very long day. I was standing in the airport terminal anxiously awaiting my luggage when a tal1 man, with a soft voice, said: “Would your name happen to be Brady?” Then I knew I was safe.

So when Bishop Clifford spoke on behalf of the priests and people of Armagh just now his words meant a lot to me. The greetings of Archbishop Eames, Reverend Best and Dr. Ross are greatly valued. I look forward to working with all of you.

The other people who greeted me represent very important organisations and bodies in the life of the diocese. I thank all of you for your pledge of friendship and support. When Jesus sent the twelve out to preach he told them: “Look for someone who is willing to welcome you”. I am delighted to have found so many to welcome me.

So I gladly ask the Lord to bless all you who have welcomed me here today and your communities and I say: “Peace be with you”.

Today I want to thank Cardinal Daly. Your Eminence I thank you for so much kindness and understanding. For your example and leadership. Your wise advice and counsel. I wish you continued health and blessings for the years ahead.

Today, on the Feast of St. Malachy, a native of this city, we think of the late Cardinal Ó Fiaich. This would have been his seventy-third birthday. May he rest in peace.

These twelve Jesus sent out. He gave them power to teach in his name. Today Jesus continues to send out people to teach in his name. I am deeply aware that today I join an illustrious line of teachers sent to Armagh. It began with Patrick and includes Malachy and Oliver Plunkett.

Jesus gave his disciples precise instructions they were to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Who were these lost sheep? They were people who were cut off from their community because they were unable to fulfil the demands of the law. People for example who could not pay their debts. Jesus offered the lost sheep a way back.

Today there are many lost sheep. There are people who are cut off from society for any number of reasons. There are people who are cut off because of poverty. There are people who have lost their way. There are people who have turned their back. It is our job to help them find their way back.

Before we start thinking of others however we could examine our own lives to see are we the lost sheep. How are our relationships? My relationship with God for example?. Am I too proud to listen? Too angry to believe? Too lazy to pray? My relationship with my family can suffer if I am too busy to notice and too stressed to help. My relationship with my neighbour can be damaged if I become trapped into my prejudices and fears. So, all of us, at some stage, are lost sheep.

How can the lost sheep be found? In the words of Jesus “the kingdom of heaven is near”. In other words, no matter what happens God is near to us. God loves us. Whoever knows that the great commandment is to love God and neighbour, that person is close to God.

So relationships come into it. It is not just a question of me and God alone. The reign of God demands that we look beyond ourselves and that we think of others, especially those less well off than ourselves. They are not to be considered a burden, they are our brothers and sisters.

The reign of God is an earthly reign. There is a here and now dimension to it. The reign of God is concerned with the establishment of justice and peace. That responsibility is a personal one. It belongs to each one of us. It cannot be off-loaded onto somebody else. And the great thing is that this Good News is meant for all of us. “Go make disciples of all nations”. All are invited to the feast, nobody is excluded. That gives hope to us all.

Jesus saw clearly that God’s reign would meet with obstacles. So he gave his disciples power to drive out the demons. That is to overcome the obstacles which are to be met and confronted.
One of the great obstacles is the absence of reconciliation. The refusal to repent of our sins. The refusal to get forgiveness or to ask for or to receive forgiveness. It is not a problem that is peculiar to Ireland of course.

Political walls that divided Europe have been torn down. However in hearts and heads the Iron Curtain has far from disappeared. For this reason the Christian Churches of Europe have decided to join forces to promote reconciliation. They have chosen as the theme of the second European Ecumenical Assembly: ‘Reconciliation – Gift of God, Source of New Life’.

This European Ecumenical Assembly is only the second in history. It unites all the Christian Churches of all the countries of Europe. It will take place next year in June in Austria. Europe is calling out for reconciliation. Reconciliation between people and God, after so much suffering. Reconciliation between the different Churches after so much conflict. Reconciliation of European people among themselves, after so much war. So our situation is not unique but it is urgent.

The most urgent religious task of our day is the search for peace and reconciliation. We remember the words of Jesus about leaving gifts before altars and going off to seek reconciliation with an enemy. The offering can wait, reconciliation cannot.

We have here a clear line of what comes first for Jesus. Reconciliation is not something to be put on a long finger. It is not something to be attempted only after a political solution has been found. It is not a task for religious leaders alone. It belongs to all men and women of goodwill.

Reconciliation is already a gift for all of us. That gift has been won for us by Jesus Christ. It follows therefore that it can already be a source of new life for us. It is up to us to try to envisage what that new life might be and how to work towards it.

This Ecumenical Assembly, sponsored by all the Churches seems to me to be a providential call. It calls all of us to make reconciliation a more manifest reality in our lives between now and June 1997. It is God’s way of saying: ‘the reign of God is very near, repent and believe the Good News’.

Once we accept the fact that God loves us, then we become more secure in our own identity and more sure of our worth in the sight of God. We get the confidence to reach out to other people. Jesus told the twelve: “Provide yourselves with no gold or silver not even with a few coppers for your purses. With no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff”. Those who bring the Good News should be given what they need, precisely because of who they are. They are to put their trust in the message, in the one who sent them.

Trust is also important in the quest for peace. A minimum degree of trust is the first step. The task is to rebuild trust on all sides. It will be a slow process. It will involve understanding the feelings of others. It will mean seeing the point of view of the other person and treating it with respect.

Our sense of identity is very important to all of us. We are all children of a loving and good God. By baptism we all become sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ. We love and respect the Word of God. These are the piers of the bridge which can unite us. They are also part of our identity.

The Lord says “I alone know the plans I have for you. Plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster. Plans to bring about the future you hope for”. Plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, what fantastic promises. Our hopes and God’s plans coincide. Only our sins can frustrate those plans. God’s plans are our hopes but God’s ways are not always our ways. To carry out those plans God may need more help from us than we were thinking of offering. Those words are God’s message. They are not some human thinking. God’s message is a living power among you who believe it. It is power that will lead to new forms of life. It will be at once a gift of God and source of new life.

May St. Malachy, great reformer that he was in his day, gain for us the wisdom to know the way God’s message beckons us and give us the strength to travel that way no matter what the cost.
May Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace, intercede for the peacemakers and help them build up harmony. May we join with all true peace-makers in praying for peace and working to achieve it.

AMEN