John Buckley (bishop)

The Most Reverend, Dr.

John Buckley
Bishop Emeritus of Cork and Ross
ChurchRoman Catholic
SeeCork and Ross
Appointed19 December 1997
Installed8 February 1998
Term ended30 June 2019
PredecessorMichael Murphy
SuccessorFintan Gavin
Previous post(s)Diocesan administrator of Cork and Ross
Auxiliary bishop of Cork and Ross
Titular bishop of Leptis Magna
Parish priest of Turners Cross parish, Cork
President of St Finbarr's College, Farranferris
Orders
Ordination20 June 1965
by Cornelius Lucey
Consecration29 April 1984
by Michael Murphy
Personal details
Born (1939-11-02) 2 November 1939 (age 85)
Inchigeela, County Cork, Ireland
MottoThrough Mary to Jesus

John Buckley (born 2 November 1939) is an Irish former Roman Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Cork and Ross between 1998 and 2019.

Early life and education

Buckley was born in Gruaige, Inchigeela, County Cork on 2 November 1939.[1]

He is an accomplished road bowler, a sport which was described as being "like a virus for which there is no cure".[2][3]

Buckley studied for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, and was subsequently ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cork and Ross on 20 June 1965.[1]

Presbyteral ministry

Buckley taught at St Finbarr's College, Farranferris, until he was subsequently appointed president of the college in 1975. He also served for one year as parish priest of Turners Cross parish, Cork.[4]

Episcopal ministry

Auxiliary Bishop of Cork and Ross

Buckley was appointed auxiliary bishop of Cork and Ross and titular bishop of Leptis Magna by Pope John Paul II on 16 March 1984. He was consecrated by the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Michael Murphy, on 29 April at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Cork.[5]

Following the death of Murphy on 7 October 1996, Buckley was appointed diocesan administrator on 10 October.[6]

Bishop of Cork and Ross

Buckley was appointed Bishop of Cork and Ross by Pope John Paul II on 19 December 1997.[7]

He was installed on 8 February 1998 at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Cork.[8]

Following his installation, Buckley did not move into the episcopal palace, continuing to live at a house in Turners Cross instead.[3] He is also noted for promising in 2006 to personally invite Pope Benedict XVI to Cork, were the county senior hurling team to win a third All-Ireland championship in succession, a feat which ultimately was not achieved.[9]

Buckley also supported calls by campaigners to make a mass grave for Magdalene women at Sunday's Well more accessible to the public, which followed his call for the remains of Little Nellie, considered the "unofficial patron saint of Cork", to be exhumed.[10]

During his episcopate, Buckley also served as a member of the commission for pastoral care of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, and chaired its council on healthcare.[8]

Retirement

In accordance with canon law, Buckley submitted his episcopal resignation to the Congregation for Bishops on his 75th birthday on 2 November 2014, but was expected to remain in the see until a successor was appointed.[4]

He remained in the see until the appointment of his successor, Fintan Gavin, on 8 April 2019.[2][11]

Styles of
John Buckley
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Grace
Religious styleBishop

References

  1. ^ a b Cronin, Donal; O'Sullivan, Anna-Marie. "A Century in Ballingeary and Inchigeela". Ballingeary and Inchigeela Local History Society. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Riegel, Ralph (8 April 2019). "Pope Francis confirms Monsignor Fintan Gavin as new Bishop of Cork & Ross". Irish Independent. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b Hogan, Dick (20 January 1998). "New bishop ends visit to west Cork with a score of bowls". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b English, Eoin (28 October 2014). "Bishop of Cork and Ross to submit resignation to Pope". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Bishop John Buckley steps aside: An affable man, a kindly bishop". Irish Examiner. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Bishop to administer Cork diocese". The Irish Times. 10 October 1996. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Announcement on Bishop Buckley's successor is expected". The Echo. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Bishop John Buckley". Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  9. ^ O'Sullivan, Claire (4 January 2013). "A Bishop of the people". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  10. ^ ó Fátharta, Conall (22 August 2015). "Bishop John Buckley: Magdalene mass grave 'must be accessible' to public". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  11. ^ Walsh, Oisín (8 April 2019). "Pope Francis appoints Father Fintan Gavin as the new Bishop of Cork & Ross". Catholic News. Retrieved 22 May 2023.