And speculation is mounting that that could be sooner than originally anticipated as church sources have indicated that Cardinal Connell s successor is likely to be in place sometime this year.

Should Bishop Murphy be involved in the final shake-up, he could well follow in the illustrious footsteps of former Bishop of Kerry, the late Dr Kevin McNamara, who was plucked from the bishop s palace in Killarney in 1984 to succeed Dr Dermot Ryan as Archbishop of Dublin.

Dr McNamara s tenure was short-lived, however, as he battled with illness throughout his reign and he passed away just as he was coming to terms with the considerable demands of his new role.

Church sources, both nationally and locally, have said that while Bishop Murphy would, at this stage, still be considered an outsider to succeed Cardinal Connell, it would come as "no great surprise" if he made the shortlist of three candidates that will be presented to Pope John Paul for consideration.

Bishop Murphy, who will be 67 in June, is very highly regarded within the church as an experienced theologian who has the charisma and the drive to lead the Catholic church as it goes through a very difficult phase.

Since his appointment as Bishop of Kerry, in 1995, in succession to the late Dr Diarmuid O Suilleabhain, Bill Murphy has proved a more than capable administrator and he has been open and frank with his flock on all matters, including the contentious issue of clerical sexual abuse.

Bishop Murphy is credited with having the all-important common touch and he mixes easily with people of all ages throughout Kerry s 54 parishes a trait that is likely to be very beneficial when the shortlist of three candidates is being determined.

While those close to Bishop Murphy were understandably refusing to be drawn on the speculation linking him with the Dublin post, sources within the church were optimistic for his chances of the top job.

"He would be a popular choice and of that there is no doubt," said one experienced cleric.

"In his time in Kerry he has proved himself to be very capable and approachable and he seems to have won over the people of Kerry in a very short space of time.

"But, more importantly, as far as succeeding Cardinal Connell is concerned, Bishop Murphy is a highly-thought of theologian and he has been a very influential, valued and outspoken member of the bishops conference," said the church source.

Experienced Rome watcher and journalist, TP O Mahony, said Bishop Murphy could not be ruled out as the next Archbishop of Dublin.

"The precedent is certainly there with Kevin McNamara so for Rome to look to places like Kerry is not unknown," he said.

Kerry, in fact, has strong links with the top posts within the church in Ireland as another former high-ranking Kerry cleric, Dermot Clifford, was elevated to the post of Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in 1988 after serving as bishop s secretary in Kerry for a number of years.

"I certainly wouldn t rule out Bishop Murphy but I think Desmond Connell will hang on for a little bit longer than many people expect," O Mahony added.

Bishop Murphy certainly meets the criteria set down for the top job which is likely to be based on sound administrative abilities, good communication skills and an ability to relate comfortably with the public and with other clerics.

His academic and pastoral curriculum vitae is also quite impressive and, rather than bemoan the difficulties currently facing the church, he has adopted an energetic pro-active stance in planning for the future.

In a bid to counter the alarming fall-off in vocations, for example, Bishop Murphy has repeatedly stressed the need for a greater involvement of the laity in the day-to-day running of the church and that is in keeping with policies adopted with the hierarchy worldwide.

Commenting recently on the future of the church, Bishop Murphy said lay people of all ages must get actively involved in the work of the church in their parish and in the diocese.

"This will be absolutely necessary if the church is to survive in this country," he remarked.

He said the laity would have to take over many of the functions which have, up to now, been the exclusive preserve of priests or otherwise the alternative is not just curateless parishes but priestless parishes.

It is understood that the Papal Nuncio, Guiseppe Lazzarotto, is currently preparing a provisional shortlist to succeed the controversial Dr Connell who is expected to step down shortly after his 77th birthday in March.

Following consultations with senior members of the clergy, the Papal Nuncio will prepare a shortlist of three candidates known as a terna for consideration by the Pope.

The current favourite - presuming Archbishop Sean Brady is allowed to remain in Armagh is the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray while Bishop Eamon Walsh, an auxiliary bishop of Dublin and apostolic administrator in the troubled diocese of Ferns, is also considered among the favourites by the clergy in Ireland.

But Bishop Murphy seems certain to be included on the shortlist for the formidable role of heading up Dublin s 200 parishes and 238 churches in a city that has a Catholic population of 1.04 million.

Bishop Murphy, aside, the main contenders to succeed Cardinal Connell are:

Bishop Eamonn Walsh: an auxiliary bishop of Dublin who was summoned to the Ferns diocese as a trouble-shooter following the resignation of Bishop Brendan Comiskey. During his tenure as apostolic administrator in Ferns, he has proved himself to be a very capable and efficient official. He is one of the main negotiators for the Catholic church in its dealings with child sex abuse victims and he has been praised for his practical and sensitive approach to the contentious issue.

Bishop Donal Murray: The Bishop of Limerick and a former auxiliary bishop of Dublin is said to be the clear favourite for the post among clerics throughout the country. Affable and gentle, the 62-year-old is regarded as the main theologian in the Catholic church in this country and he has the ability to make a success of the Dublin post, both as an administrator and as a man of the people.

Bishop James Moriarty: Very much a people s bishop, he is well liked in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin where he prefers to be among the people in the community rather than behind the scenes in the Bishops palace. Another former auxiliary bishop of Dublin, he is very popular with other bishops and with clerics throughout the country.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin: His very close links with Rome will have brought him to the close attention of the Pontiff and that might stand to him when the current the Archbishop of Dublin steps down. Currently the Vatican s permanent observer at the United Nations in Geneva, he worked as a priest in Dublin following his ordination in 1965 but moved to Rome in 1977. Considered a human rights specialist, he was promoted to archbishop two years ago.

Fr Brian Farrell: Could be the dark horse in that he is based in the Vatican and is said to be close to Pope John Paul

II. The Dublin-born priest, who will soon become a bishop, is currently the secretary of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of Christian Unity. Ordained in 1969, the fact that he is still only 59 considered young in church terms and has not yet been ordained bishop could the main stumbling block to his appointment.

 

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