Born on 28 March 1960, ordained priest 5 June 1986, Rev Brendan Leahy was Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth prior to being ordained Bishop of Limerick on 14 April 2013.

A von Balthasar scholar, he is involved in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and is the author of numerous publications.

Education:
Graduate studies in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1983-1991).
Professional studies at King’s Inns, Dublin (1981-83).
Clonliffe College, Dublin (1980-1983).
Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin (1980-1981).
Undergraduate studies in University College Dublin (1977-1980).

Academic and Pastoral Activities:
Chair of Irish Bishops Conference Advisory Committee on Inter-Religious Dialogue (2018 – present); Chair of Irish Bishops Conference Advisory Committee on Ecumenism (2014 – ); Chair of the National Faith Development Team (2014 – ); Member of the Standing Committee of the Irish Bishops Conference (2014 – ); Chair of the Irish Bishops Conference Commission of Catholic Education and Formation (2014 – ); Chair of Irish Bishops Conference Council of Catechetics (2013 – ); President of Veritas, Irish Bishops Conference Publishing House (2013 – ); Chair of the Board of Trustees and the Governing Authority of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (2013 – ); Chair of the Board of Governors and the Management Committee of St. John’s Hospital, Limerick (2013 – ); Visiting lecturer at the Sophia University Institute, Loppiano (Florence, Italy) (2008 – ); Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Theology Academy (2004 – ); Member of Inter-Church Meeting (since 1999; Co-chair since 2015).

Registrar of Mater Dei Institute (2004-2006); Member of the Three Faiths Forum of Ireland (1999-2013); Chairman of Dublin Diocesan Ecumenical Committee (1999-2013); Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Ecumenism of the Irish Bishops’ Conference (1999-2010); Confessional Lecturer at Irish School of Ecumenics (1999-2008); Parish Chaplain in Lusk, Dublin (1999-2004); Member of College of Consultors of Dublin Diocese (1998-2004); Member of the staff of Mater Dei Institute of Education (1992-2006) and Holy Cross Seminary (1992-1999).

Research Interests:
Ecumenical Dialogue with particular reference to Ecclesiology;
Ecclesiology with particular reference to the Marian Principle in the Church; Christology.

Publications include:

– Chiara Lubich: Mary, Flower of Humanity (co-edited with Judith Povilus, New City, London and New York, 2017).
– Graced Horizons, A Journey Through Mercy (Veritas, Dublin, 2017).
– Dear Young Friends: Pope Francis in Conversation with Young People (Veritas, Dublin, 2017).
– Dreaming Big; Living the Reality: Rediscovering Family Today (Booklet, Veritas, Dublin 2016).
– Let’s Remember; Let’s Review; Let’s Renew. The Second Vatican Council Fifty Years On (Booklet, Veritas, Dublin 2015).
– Who Leads the Church? Noticing the Holy Spirit at Work. Short Commentaries on Extracts from the Acts of the Apostles (Veritas, Dublin, 2015).
– Faith and the Marvellous Progess of Science (New City, New York, 2014).
– Faith Questions (co-edited with Declan Marmion, Columba Press, Dublin, 2013).
– Treasures of Irish Christianity II: A People of the Word (co-edited with Salvador Ryan, Veritas, Dublin, 2013).
– The Human Voyage of Self-Discovery. Essays in honour of Brendan Purcell (co-edited with David Walsh, Veritas, Dublin, 2013).
– Year of Faith: Stations of the Cross (CTS booklet, London, 2013).
– Treasures of Irish Christianity: People and Places, Images and Texts (co-edited with Salvador Ryan, Veritas, Dublin, 2012).
– Going to God Together: Reflections along the Way (New City, New York, 2012).
– His Mass and Ours: Living Eucharistically (New City, New York, 2012).
– Having Life in his Name: Living, Thinking and Communicating the Christian Life of Faith (co-edited with Seamus O’Connell, Veritas, Dublin, 2011).
– Ecclesial Movements and Communities: Origins, Significance and Issues (New City Press, 2011).
– Believe in Love: The Life, Ministry and Teachings of John Paul II (New City Press, 2011).
– Inter-Church Relations: Developments and Perspectives (Veritas Publications, 2009).
– The Marian Profile: in the Ecclesiology of Hans Urs von Balthasar (New City Press, 2000).