Society Obituaries
Announcements and Funeral Arrangements
To read the obituaries of deceased members of St Patrick's Missionary Society, from 1942 to 2021, please click on the following link: Fullness of Life
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To view the webcam of St Patrick's Chapel, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, please click on the following link:
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Please note: Our webcam is used for funerals of Society priests or for special occasions. When these occur, they are announced on our website and the password is removed 15 minutes before the Mass begins. These celebrations can then be viewed by the general public. Because the chapel in St Patrick’s, Kiltegan, is part of the residential home of our retired missionary priests, daily Masses are not available to view. The webcam is password protected due to data protection regulations.
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Eternal rest grand unto them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Fr Seán O'Dowd
December 2nd
With sadness we announce the death of Fr Seán O’Dowd (1963 Class) who died on Monday, December 2nd, 2024.
Our sincere sympathy to Seán's family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
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Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Chapel, St Patrick's, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, on Thursday December 5th at 12 noon followed by burial in the Society Cemetery.
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To view the Funeral Mass recording, please click on the following link:
Funeral Mass Recording – December 5th
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Fr Seán O'Dowd (1937 - 2024)
John Joseph O’Dowd, always known as Seán, was born on the 5th of April 1937 in Aughnacross, Newtowncashel, Co Longford to Patrick O’Dowd and his wife Mary (née Scally). He was the second child of a family of two girls and five boys. Seán attended Cornadown National School and Fermoyle National School from 1942 to 1950 and had his secondary education in St Mel’s College, Longford, from 1950 to 1955.
In September 1955 Seán joined the Spiritual Year in Kiltegan. He was one of 7 students from St Mel’s College to join the Society that year. From 1956 to 1959 he studied for the BA degree at University College Cork and then proceeded to Kiltegan for theology. Seán was among 16 priests ordained for St Patrick’s Missionary Society by Bishop Patrick Cleary SSC on 14th April 1963 (Easter Sunday).
After ordination Seán was appointed to the diocese of Calabar in Nigeria and his first appointment was to St Joseph’s Teacher Training College in Anua. From 1965 to 1976 he worked in Holy Trinity Secondary School in Uyo. In 1977 Seán took part in a ten-week spirituality programme in Manresa, Dublin. Later that year he was transferred to St Patrick’s College, Calabar, where he spent the following eleven years. In 1989 after completing his time in Nigeria, Seán was appointed to work in Datchet on the Society’s promotion programme in the UK.
In 1997 Seán was transferred to Scotland as Director of Promotion. He was given the difficult task by the Society of selling St Patrick’s, Buchlyvie, which had been the home of the Society in Scotland since 1965, and of finding a more suitable premises. In 2003 he opened a new house in Stirling where our promotion base in Scotland is now located. After 21 years on promotion work Seán decided to return to Ireland in order to be near his family. He was appointed to work in Elphin diocese in the parish of St Peter and Paul, Athlone. He also worked for a short period in St Colmcille’s Parish in his native diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. In 2016 Seán became the Chaplain to the Mercy Sisters in Athlone and in 2017 he went to live in the Divine Master Convent, Athlone. He remained there until he retired to Kiltegan in the summer of 2023.
Seán was a very committed missionary who was always prepared to go where the Society needed him. During his days in Nigeria, he devoted himself to his students and was keen to develop their academic side as well as encouraging them in playing games and adopting a healthy lifestyle. After class Seán spent long hours on the playing fields coaching the students and refereeing matches. All this activity kept Seán very fit and healthy. When the Society needed a zealous missionary to promote the work of the Society and invite benefactors to support its work, they found Seán was ready to answer the call. Seán wrote in his memoirs that he enjoyed his twenty-one years on Promotion work in England, Wales and Scotland and did mission appeals in over 700 parishes from Penzance, in the South, to John of Groats in the North. These years gave him the opportunity to indulge in some of his wide variety of interests, the number one being sport, which included the Irish games of hurling and Gaelic football. He was also a keen soccer and rugby fan and had “some wonderful memories of places like Wembley, Twickenham, Old Trafford, Parkhead and Murrayfield”. Horse racing had a special appeal for him, and he was a great admirer of Lester Piggott whom he described as having “the capacity to electrify the grandstand and at the same time terrorise the bookies!!”
After retiring to Kiltegan Seán took an active part in the community until his health began to decline. He endured a few challenging months and was admitted to hospital for long periods. He bore his illness with great fortitude and without complaint. He had a great appreciation for the staff who looked after him. He died in Tallaght Hospital just before midnight on the 2nd December, 2024. His sister Collette and his brother Brendan were at his bedside.
Seán is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Mary, his brother Michael, his brother-in-law Ray and sister-in-law Maureen. He is survived by his brothers P.J, Gerry and Brendan, his sisters Mary and Collette, his sisters-in-law Teresa, Carmel and Frances, his nieces and nephews and their families, and his Society family.
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​Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
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Fr Thomas (Tommy) Scott
September 1st
With sadness we announce the death of Fr Tommy Scott (1975 Class) who died on Sunday, September 1st, 2024.
Our sincere sympathy to Tommy's family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
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Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Chapel, St Patrick's, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, on Thursday September 5th at 12 noon followed by burial in the Society Cemetery.
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To view the Funeral Mass recording, please click on the following link:
Funeral Mass Recording – September 5th
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Fr Thomas Scott (1943 - 2024)
Thomas Joseph Scott, popularly known as Tommy, was born on the 2nd February 1943 to Thomas Scott and his wife Mary (née Scully). For his first eleven years Tommy lived in St Bridget’s Avenue but later moved to Annadale Drive in Marino. He was the second child in a family of three boys and two girls. He attended St Mary’s in Fairview and St Joseph’s CBS, Fairview from 1947 to 1956 for his primary education and had his secondary education in St Joseph’s CBS, from 1956 to 1961.
After his Leaving Certificate Tommy began work in the Department of Post and Telegraphs as a Post Office clerk and later became a Clerical Officer attached to the Engineering branch. For most of his seven years in the Post Office he worked in the G.P.O. in Dublin. During these years he earned a diploma in Industrial Relations. It was during his final years in the Post Office that Tommy felt the desire to become a priest and entered into a dialogue with the vocations director in Kiltegan.
In September 1968 Tommy joined the Spiritual Year in Kiltegan. From 1969 to 1971 he studied Philosophy in St Patrick’s Douglas, Cork. From 1971 to 1975 he did his theology programme in Kiltegan. He was ordained to the priesthood for St Patrick’s Missionary Society on the 7th of June 1975. The ordaining prelate was Bishop James Moynagh SPS, Bishop Emeritus of Calabar, Nigeria.
After ordination, along with his classmate Dermot Daly, Tommy was appointed to Brazil. After studying the language course in Anápolis, Tommy was appointed to the parish of Jardim D’Abril in the Osasco Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of São Paulo. He settled into parish life inspired by the spirit of Liberation Theology, establishing and nourishing small Christian communities and supporting lay leaders to take their rightful place in all Church affairs.
In the 1980s the scourge of AIDS began to take hold in São Paulo and Tommy took a keen interest in the plight of its victims and began visiting them in Emílio Ribas Hospital. During his time visiting this hospital he became friendly with the Camillian Fathers, whose main apostolate is care of the sick. They invited Tommy to become more involved in the ministry to the sick and to work with them. In 1988 Tommy took up their invitation and began working with the Camillian Fathers in São Paulo’s largest hospital, Hospital das Clinicas and living in their community in Pompeia. In 1989, at the suggestion of the Superior General, and in order to upskill himself in chaplaincy work, Tommy took part in the Clinical Pastoral Education programme for six months in Cork Regional Hospital. On his return to Brazil Tommy moved to the parish of Presidente Altino and began to get involved in helping to build and establish the LAR Centre, a halfway house for AIDS patients. With the help of his sisters, he obtained £4,000 from RTÉ, which helped to build a kitchen, canteen and meeting rooms.
In 1999 the Society opened a new mission in the Diocese of Juína (State of Mato Grosso). Tommy was part of the first team to work there. He ministered in Paróquia São Pedro Apóstolo, Juruena and in the Catedral Sagrado Coração de Jesus in Juina. After two years in Mato Grosso Tommy returned to São Paulo and was appointed to St Anthony’s Cathedral, Osasco, where he ministered until June 2019.
Tommy was a very dedicated and joyful missionary priest. He always enjoyed the banter with his colleagues and was a great storyteller. He was noted for his wit and his turn of phrase. Tommy had a life-long admiration for fellow Dubliner, Blessed Matt Talbot, and wrote a beautiful tribute to Blessed Matt in the Africa magazine entitled Poor Aul Matt, One of Our Own (Jan/Feb 2006). He also had great devotion to the Patroness of Brazil, Nossa Senhora Aparecida. There is a statue of Nossa Senhora Aparecida outside the chapel door in Kiltegan and Tommy never passed it without touching it and offering a silent prayer for all his family and his many friends. He was a very hard working, conscientious, prayerful and faithful priest who gave great service to the people of God in all his appointments.
In 2019 Tommy’s health began to deteriorate and he retired home to Kiltegan where he received wonderful care in the Care Unit. Tommy was very proud of his Dublin roots and his family meant everything to him. He was particularly close to his sisters Mary and Katherine and looked forward to their regular visits to Kiltegan with their dog Mylo. These visits brought great comfort to Tommy in his final years. In August 2024 Tommy’s health deteriorated further and he died peacefully on Sunday 1st September at 7.20 pm in the presence of his sisters and Fr Liam V Scanlan.
Tommy is predeceased by his parents Tom and May and his brother Jackie. He is survived by his sisters Mary and Katherine, his brother Gabriel, his nephews and nieces and their families and his Society family.
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​Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
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Fr Edmond (Ned) Grace
August 14th
With sadness we announce the death of Fr Edmond (Ned) Grace (1960 Class) who died on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024.
Our sincere sympathy to Ned's family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
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Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Chapel, St Patrick's, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, on Monday August 19th at 12 noon followed by burial in the Society Cemetery.
To view the Funeral Mass recording, please click on the following link:
Funeral Mass Recording – August 19th
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Fr Edmond (Ned) Grace (1934-2024)
Edmond Grace popularly known as Ned, was born on the 20th of June 1934 in Gaulstown, Tullaroan, Co Kilkenny, to Patrick Grace and his wife Mary (née Forristal). He was the third child of a family of two girls and four boys. He attended Tullaroan National School from 1939 to 1947 and had his secondary education in St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny from 1947 to 1952.
In September 1952 Ned joined the Spiritual Year in Kiltegan. From 1953 – 1956 he studied for a science degree in University College Cork where he was top of his class. From 1956 to 1960 he did his theology programme in Kiltegan. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Society by Bishop Patrick Cleary SSC on Easter Sunday, 17th April 1960.
After ordination Ned was appointed to Ogoja diocese in Nigeria. At first, he worked in the part of Ogoja diocese which would, in 1973, become the new diocese of Abakaliki. His first assignment was to teach in Izzi County Secondary School from 1960 to ‘64. From 1964 to ‘66 he worked in St Aidan’s Umuzeoka. In 1966 he was tasked with opening a trade school in Ugep where he really excelled in using his fantastic scientific knowledge and practical skills. Under Ned’s direction this trade school became a shining light in the whole Cross River State where it enabled its students to thrive with different trades. After nine years in Ugep he was transferred to teach in Maryknoll Secondary School. In 1977 the traumatic effects of the Biafran war began to catch up with Ned and Society leadership asked Ned to take a rest and receive some support and care. In 1979 he participated in the Carlow liturgy course.
In 1980 Ned took up a new mission in the Archdiocese of Lagos in the parish of St Paul’s Ebute Metta. He also worked for short spells in Ikorodu and Oshodi before he was transferred to St Matthew’s, Amukoko where he worked among the poorest of the poor from 1986 to 1992. At his farewell celebration in Amukoko one woman succinctly recognised Ned’s ability to preach and teach when she exclaimed “We will miss him; he explained things to us”. When the Society opened a new mission in Bomadi, Ned was head hunted by Fr Tommy Greenan who wanted Ned with his practical skills to help establish the new vicariate among the riverine people of the Niger Delta. Before the advent of mobile phones and the practically non-existence of landlines, Ned created a system of radio communications for all the parishes to be able to communicate. After eight very fruitful years of ministry in Bomadi, Ned was asked to become the director of retirement in Kiltegan.
Being a new role in the Society, Ned began to develop a programme of care for our elderly and retired members; this was also the beginning of an era where the number of men retiring, began to increase significantly. For twenty years Ned was at the heart of developing an ever-expanding and ever-changing care programme. Part of this involved the building of the Care Unit and later its extension. But it was the pastoral side of the care and Ned’s organising of different activities and entertainment, that was most appreciated by everyone. His approachable nature endeared him to all our retired men, and he developed a close bond and working relationship with all the nurses and carers.
After many years of faithful service, Ned’s energy began to decrease, and his role was subsumed into the duties of the house leaders and other members of staff. In 2023 his memory began to fade, and he had to move into the Care Unit himself to receive the same care that he had lovingly given for so long. On the 20th of June Ned’s family came to join the Kiltegan community in celebrating his 90th birthday. On the 14th August 2024 Ned was taken to Naas hospital where he died peacefully just after 11pm in the presence of Fr Enda Kelly and two of his very close friends.
Ned was a very talented man and blessed with great intelligence. He used all these God given gifts for the people of Nigeria and for all those he encountered in Ireland. He was also a very good artist, and his paintings decorate the walls of the Care Unit in Kiltegan as well as the homes of many people who came to Kiltegan to do workshops and received them as a parting gift. His gentle nature and deep wisdom were appreciated by all who crossed his path.
Ned is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Mary, his brothers Dan and Larry, his sisters Alicia and Mary. He is survived by his brother Paddy and his sisters-in-law Anne and Vera, his nephews and nieces and their families, and his Society family.
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​Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
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Fr Fintan McDonald
June 18th
With sadness we announce the death of Fr Fintan McDonald (1957 Class) who died on Tuesday, June 18th 2024 in Naas Hospital, Ireland.
Our sincere sympathy to Fintan's family and friends.
May he rest in peace
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Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Chapel, St Patrick's, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, on Friday June 21st at 12 noon followed by burial in the Society Cemetery.
To view the Funeral Mass recording, please click on the following link:
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Fintan McDonald (1931-2024)
Fintan Theophane McDonald was born on the 24th of March 1931 in “The Friary”, Saunderscourt, Crossabeg, Co Wexford, to Denis and Eileen (née Fortune) McDonald. He was the fourth born of a family of five boys. For his primary school education, Fintan attended Mercy Sisters, Wexford from 1936-1939 and Christian Brothers, Wexford, from 1939 to 1944. He attended St Peter’s College, Wexford for his secondary education from 1944 to 1949.
In September 1949, Fintan joined the Spiritual Year in Kiltegan. From 1950 to 1953 he studied for his degree in University College Cork and then proceeded to Kiltegan for theology. Fintan was among five priests ordained in Killamoat by Bishop Cleary on April 21st 1957.
After ordination Fr Fintan was appointed to the then Prefecture of Eldoret, Kenya, where he remained for the next sixteen years. During this time, he worked in different parishes and schools. He founded St Patrick’s Secondary School, Iten, which has become famous for producing Kenyan athletes who have won numerous Olympic medals and broken many world records. Fintan was the first principal, and he was happy to hand over the school to the Patrician Brothers when they arrived in Kenya in 1961. He took a sabbatical in 1966-67 and obtained a diploma in Catechetics from Corpus Christi, London. In 1973 Fintan became Director of the Pastoral Centre in Kitale town. Fintan joined the staff of AMECEA Pastoral Centre (Ggaba Institute) from 1978 until 1984. This centre did tremendous work in training catechists and teachers and implementing the vision of Vatican II and encouraging and promoting the formation of small Christian communities. From 1989 to 1991 Fintan was seconded to the Diocese of Kakamega and returned to Eldoret Diocese in 1991. In 1998 Kitale diocese was created out of Eldoret and Fintan found himself in the new diocese where he remained until he retired to Ireland in 2016, after 59 years of active missionary service.
Fintan then settled easily into life in Kiltegan and was a much loved and respected member of the community with his quiet presence and positive attitude. His retirement was an opportunity to be closer to his family and friends in Wexford and around Ireland. He participated in this year’s annual retreat but began to feel unwell during it. On Friday 14th June, Fintan was taken to the hospital in Naas. He died rather suddenly but peacefully in the afternoon of Tuesday 18th June.
Fintan was a very gentle and committed missionary, with a special place in his heart for the poor and those suffering any form of injustice. He was a great supporter of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Kenya. He placed great emphasis on the Word of God and the fact that God became a human being in Jesus. His God was the cosmic Christ who was present in all creation as well as in the human family. Fintan was a wonderful teacher and devoted a lot of his missionary life to forming and teaching catechists, preparing them to lead people in prayer and in teaching and handing on the faith. His teaching style was practical, and he had the ability to communicate in a way that was easily understood by his students and catechists. Fintan was also a gifted facilitator of groups and leadership training was another important part of his ministry.
Fintan is predeceased by his parents, Denis and Eileen, his brothers Sean, Martin and Paddy, his sisters-in-law Aine, Lee and Eileen and his niece Ciara. He is survived by his brother, Brendan, his sister-in-law Breda, his nephews and nieces and their families, and his Society family.
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Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
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Fr James Brady
April 25th
With sadness we announce the death of Fr James (Jim) Brady (1968 Class) who died on Thursday, April 25th 2024 in Co. Cavan.
Our sincere sympathy to Jim's family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Reposing on Saturday April 27th from 3.00pm - 6.00pm at St. Joseph's Church, Loughduff, Co. Cavan (H12 F968), followed by Mass at 6.30pm.
Funeral Mass on Sunday April 28th at 12.00 noon in St. Joseph's Church, Loughduff.
Burial on Sunday evening in the Society Cemetery, Kiltegan.
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To view the Funeral Mass recording, please click on the following link:
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James Brady (1943-2024)
James Brady, popularly known as Jim, was born on the 5th of February 1943 in Middletown, Loughduff, Co Cavan, to Julia (nee Dalton) and Daniel Brady. Jim was one of thirteen children - five boys and eight girls.
Jim attended St Joseph’s Primary School, Loughduff, from 1949 to1956 and had his secondary education in St Mary’s Apostolic School, Moyne from 1956 to 1961.
In September 1961 Jim joined the Spiritual Year in Kiltegan. From 1962 to 1964, Jim studied Philosophy in Cork and then proceeded to Kiltegan for Theological studies from 1964 to 1968. Jim was among twenty-three priests ordained for St. Patrick’s Missionary Society by Bishop Patrick Lennon on Easter Sunday (April 14th)1968.
After ordination Jim was appointed to the recently created Prefecture of Lodwar, Kenya, along with four of his classmates. He cut his teeth as a missionary in Katoboi beside Lake Turkana. Here he encountered a nomadic people whose goats, sheep and cattle had died in the famine. Jim established a fishing village along the lake shore whose inhabitants had previously lived in a famine camp in Kakuma. In Katoboi he took the old adage to heart: “If you give a person a fish you feed them for a day; if you teach a person to fish you feed them for a lifetime”. For a nomadic people unaccustomed to fishing, this was a whole new way of life. Jim purchased nets and canoes for the people and helped them find markets for their fish. Jim also worked in Lodwar town parish and later in Lorugumu where the focus was more on building churches and schools and starting new Christian communities.
In 1989 Jim transferred to the Archdiocese of Lusaka in Zambia. His first appointment was to the parish of Mpanshya. He also worked in Roma and Kalingalinga parishes. He moved to Moomba in 2003. He built a house at Ten Miles Great North Road very soon after arriving in the area and began straight away to develop the area. He built two primary schools with the help of Direct Aid for Africa Charity. He also built many churches in the parish, which later became new independent parishes. He spent eleven very happy years working in Moomba.
In 2015 Jim moved to St. Patrick’s, Muchenje, and began a new parish there. It was only an outstation at that time, so Jim had to build a Priest’s House. It was a very courageous move as the area was very underdeveloped and lacked many resources such as electricity, health facilities and education. This was no obstacle to Jim and after building the Priest’s House he began the building of St Edmund’s Secondary School. This was a school for both girls and boys and was given to the Kasisi Sisters, who are currently managing the school. Jim retired to Ireland in 2020 and this school was to be Jim’s final project in Africa.
Jim Brady was a missionary to the core and combined the preaching of the Gospel with practical development projects to improve the lives of the people in Turkana and Lusaka. His warm and kind personality won the hearts of the people who worked with him and co-operated in the establishment of a fishing village, building churches and schools and creating vibrant Christian communities in all the parishes in which he served. No obstacle was too great or got in Jim’s way in the pursuit of his goal to improve the lives of his people. Jim was a man who wanted to get things right and so paid a lot of attention to detail. His buildings, though basic, were practical and have stood the test of time.
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Jim retired to Co Cavan in 2020 and settled in his home parish of Mullahoran. He enjoyed these years of reconnecting with his very large family and wide circle of friends. It gave him an opportunity to appreciate the great support they gave him during his 52 years of missionary service in Lodwar and in Lusaka. Jim died suddenly on the morning of the 25th of April 2024.
Jim is predeceased by his parents Daniel and Julia, brothers Phil and Sean, sisters Bessie, Susie, Molly, Rose, Agnes, Teresa and Veronica. He is survived by his brothers Danny and Tony, his sister Maggie, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, his wide circle of friends, his mission family in Turkana and Lusaka and his Society Family in Kiltegan.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
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Fr William Banda
March 13th
It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic and sudden death of Fr William Banda (2016 Class) who died this morning, March 13th 2024 in Tzaneen, South Africa.
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Our sincere sympathy to his family in Zambia, his friends, parishioners and colleagues in South Africa and to his Society family.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral in Tzaneen, starting at 7am on Saturday 23 March. (0500 GMT)
Burial will follow at the diocesan cemetery at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre, Tzaneen.
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Please see below the recordings of the Vigil Mass, Funeral Mass and burial of Fr William Banda SPS. May he rest in peace.
Vigil Mass – Friday, March 22nd
Funeral Mass – Saturday, March 23rd
Burial – Saturday, March 23rd
A video of still photos of the Farewell Ceremonies for Fr William Banda SPS 1986-2024
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Month's Mind Mass – April 12th
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William Banda (1986-2024)
William Banda was born on 31st May, 1986 in Lusaka, Zambia to Gabriel Banda and Catherine S. Banda. He was baptised by Fr PJ Breen SPS and made his First Holy Communion and was confirmed at St Peter’s Parish in Garden Township in Lusaka, where St Patrick’s priests ministered. He was the firstborn in a family of seven comprising of three brothers, Vincent, Gabriel and Yamikani and three sisters Monica, Theresa and Loviness. As a young boy, William showed great interest in church activities, he joined the altar servers’ group in the parish and enjoyed assisting the priests in their work.
After completing primary and secondary school, young William applied to join St Patrick’s Missionary Society. He was inspired and encouraged by Fr. Eamon Hayden who was then parish priest at St Peter’s Parish. He began initial formation at the formation house in Foxdale, Lusaka in 2006. His fellow students there commented on his interest in politics and current affairs, which gave him a great interest in people and ways to bring transformation to their lives. After initial formation he continued to the society formation house Kwa Patrick in South Africa and studied philosophy at St Joseph’s Theological Institute, Cedara.
Following his philosophical studies he undertook his First Missionary Assignment (FMA) in the Diocese of Tzaneen in South Africa, working with Fr Michael Bennett SPS. He was involved in youth work and visiting the sick along with all aspects of parish life.
In 2012 he moved to Kenya to pursue his theological studies at Tangaza College in Nairobi, living in the formation community in Lang’ata. In 2015, William was ordained a deacon in Nairobi, together with his classmates Livinus Onogwu and the late Martin Kavisu. William was ordained as a priest at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka, Zambia by Emeritus Archbishop George Telesphore Mpundu on 28 May 2016. Thereafter he was appointed to work in South Africa in the Diocese of Tzaneen.
From 2016 to the time of his death William ministered with prayerful humility, diligence, wisdom and courage. He was a loving priest, approachable and friendly.
William was shot by an unknown man who entered the church during morning prayer and his wounds caused his death. He met his death in the line of duty, praying and about to celebrate the Holy Eucharist; indeed, his life was a sacrifice to others to the end.
May William rest in peace.
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