Fr Ignatius McCormack, who is also vocations director for the Killaloe diocese as well as administrator of Quin parish, said he was delighted with his new appointment.

Independent religious publisher of a number of popular titles entered liquidation in May and its assets were bought out by Grace Communications, which also owns the Irish Catholic newspaper.

Near death experience prompted retired Bishop of Killaloe to reflect on his own life, his faith and his ministry for over fifty years.