By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The SMA Society of Apostolic Life broke the news of the death of Fr Tom Kearney SMA which took place on Monday 22nd November at the residence of his brother Seamus in Ardee, Co Louth. Fr Tom had travelled to Ardee to prepare for the funeral of his brother-in-law, Aidan Carroll.

Fr Tom was born on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11 February 1935. After theology studies in the African Missions Major seminary, Dromantine, Newry, Co Down, he was ordained a priest in June 1958. Fr Tom served as a missionary in several parishes of the Archdiocese of Lagos and Ijebu-Ode diocese, Nigeria. He also ministered in the SMA Parish of St John Vianney, West Green, London. On returning to Ireland he was seconded to the Archdiocese of Tuam where he served for several years in the parish of Achill. Up to his death, he was living an active retirement in the SMA community, Wilton, Cork, where he developed a small garden for vegetables, fruits etc.

According to Fr. Sylvester Onasanya,
“Fr. Kearney served in Ijebu-Ode Diocese as Vicar General to the Pioneering Bishop Anthony Sanusi, as Cathedral Administrator, and Parish Priest of many Parishes including Esure, Iperu, Imomo, Ijebu-Igbo. At Oru, he bagged the Chieftaincy Title of Fesinboye of Oru, Ijebu. He was an ardent Missionary.
May his soul RIP. Amen”

He is deeply mourned by his sister Anita and brother Seamus, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends as well as his confreres in the Society of African Missions.

Fr Tom had travelled to Ardee to prepare for the funeral of his brother-in-law, Aidan Carroll. Please remember both of them in your prayers.

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Funeral arrangements later by the SMA Society.