Pope Benedict has appointed a Kerry parish priest as new bishop of the troubled diocese of Cloyne.Canon William Crean will take over the role left vacant since John Magee, private secretary to three popes, resigned in disgrace in 2010.
The Cloyne report into clerical child sex abuse allegations in the diocese found that Bishop Magee did not follow proper child protection guidelines.
Most Rev Dermot Clifford has been running the diocese since as apostolic administrator.
Ireland's most senior Catholic, Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said he wished Canon Crean all the help he needs to take on the "challenging" role.
"I am confident that his ability and experience will greatly benefit the pastoral life of the diocese and, in addition, to the Irish Bishops' Conference," he added.
Canon Crean, 60, was born in Tralee, Co Kerry, and has served in a number of parishes in the county, most recently in Cahirsiveen.
Cloyne, which includes most of Co Cork, has a Catholic population of over 150,000 people, with 46 parishes and 107 churches.
Speaking at St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh, Canon Crean admitted he was apprehensive about the appointment.
"Because I am deeply conscious of the trauma of these years past - so much suffering endured by young people at the hands of a few - sufferings compounded by the failure of those who didn't believe them and those who didn't hear their cry for help," he said.
The Bishop-elect said he was committing himself to do all he could with others in the diocese to bring healing and hope to the lives of all victims of abuse and their families.
"One thing I ask, however, is your patience to allow me time to grasp the full measure of this deep hurt," he added.