of planning for the restoration of our Cathedral.  I want to repeat in this letter the commitment that I have made as early as Christmas Day.  St Mel's Cathedral must be restored.  To do otherwise would be unthinkable.  Looking at the front of the Cathedral now we still see its "grand portico", the iconic image well known to local people, visitors and passing traffic since its completion in 1893.  I consider that we are blessed in the fact that the Cathedral façade looks as it did before the fire.  I believe this view will continue to call us to press on with the work of restoration.  No one can say how long that work will take but the best calculation suggests five years or so.

The main walls of the Cathedral are generally solid and safe.  However, when restored its interior will inevitably have to look somewhat different from what we knew and admired so much.  Yet I believe that its neoclassical elegance need not be lost.  St. Mel's Cathedral was the flagship of Irish Cathedrals in its time and can again show the way forward in this new time when the Church seeks to be renewed and restored.

I write now to seek the support of the entire Diocese as we face a challenging task in the coming years.  All that I am hearing about the reaction of people throughout the Diocese inspires confidence in me and gives great hope.  You will be kept informed about the next steps that must be taken and more specific suggestions for ways in which the support we need can be given expression. I would expect that people with good judgment in design and in liturgical correctness will make constructive suggestions about what will be planned.  Most importantly I ask for your prayers that we may all have the strength and the courage to face the future with hope.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Bishop Colm O'Reilly