William Crean


William Crean is a Roman Catholic bishop in Ireland. He has been the Bishop of Cloyne since 2013.

Early life and education

William Crean was born in Tralee, the son of Patrick and Margaret Crean.
He was educated at St. Brendan's College, Killarney, before proceeding to St Patrick's College, Maynooth for studies for the priesthood. He undertook his theological studies in Rome residing at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, while completing his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He went on to obtain his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1977.

Priestly Ministry

Crean was ordained as a priest in 1976 for service in the Diocese of Kerry. He was intimately involved in education as chaplain in Killorglin, chaplain in Tarbert Comprehensive School, and Diocesan Advisor to Post-Primary Schools/Director of Adult Religious Education.
He moved into full-time parish ministry and served a six-year term as parish priest of Cahirsiveen, until it was announced in 2012 that he was to be the Bishop of Cloyne.

Episcopal Ministry

On 24 November 2012, it was announced that Crean would be the next Bishop of Cloyne. He was consecrated a bishop on 27 January 2013: the principal consecrator was Archbishop Charles Brown Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland.