Bishop Willie - our ‘Kind Shepherd’ - is called home

Numerous tributes have been paid to Most Reverend Willie Walsh, Bishop Emeritus of the Dioceses of Killaloe and native of Roscrea who died unexpectedly in his home in Ennis on Wednesday, February 19, aged 90.

He has been described as a deeply compassionate man and one of Ireland's most remarkable bishops.

Most Reverend Walsh, the youngest of six children, was born near Roscrea in 1935 where he attended national school before going on to Saint Flannan's College in Ennis.

Ordained in Rome 1959, he later taught maths, science and religion at Saint Flannan’s.

He had a passion for hurling and as a manager he had great success with some of the college teams and club squads in Co Clare in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was Bishop of Killaloe from 1994 to 2010, stepping down after he reached the resignation age of 75.

More outspoken about the wrongs committed by the Catholic Church than many of fellow bishops of his time, he is acknowledged as the first member of the hierarchy to ever have publicly admitted, in 2002, that bishops had placed the protection of the institution ahead of the protection of children.

He frequently took a stance that was counter to the traditional teachings of the church on issues such as contraception and the celibacy rule for priests. He was in favour of women being able to join the priesthood and was supportive of gay people and those in second unions at a time when these issues were particularly frowned on by the official church. He also disagreed with the church rules banning Protestants from Communion.

Paying his own personal tribute, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the late bishop “held a strong belief in the power of reconciliation”.

“Bishop Willie Walsh was a thorough gentleman, who supported those in need and people on the margins of our society.”

Mr Martin added: “A lifelong lover of the game of hurling, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

VOTE OF SMMPATHY

A vote of sympathy to the Walsh family was passed at last week's meeting of Nenagh Municipal District.

Proposing the vote, Cllr John Carroll extolled a “humble, kind and forgiving” bishop, “one of the real leaders in the Church”. The late bishop had worked hard to heal the hurt caused

by others in the Church who “blotted their copybooks”. Cllr Carroll spoke of Bishop Walsh's love of hurling and association with Saint Flannan's, and said he would be remembered most as a man who “really stepped up to the plate” in meeting the demands of his calling.

Cllr Carroll extended sympathy to the deceased's family and all within the Church.

Several members of the Catholic Hierarchy were among the many who paid tribute to the late bishop, including the current Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan.

Pointing out that Most Reverend Walsh had just celebrated his 90th birthday in recent weeks, Bishop Monahan said he was dearly loved by the many whose lives he touched in his extraordinary pastoral ministry, all of which was spent as a priest and bishop  in his own native Dioceses of Killaloe.

“His Episcopal motto was Cinéaltas Chríost - The Gentleness of Christ - and his ministry radiated that in his care for the poor, pastoral support to survivors of abuse, to anyone who was in trouble, and anyone struggling in life,” said Bishop Monahan.

He was “passionate” about hurling and was central to the success of many teams in Saint Flannan’s College, Éire Óg club in Ennis and Co Clare.

“He will be sadly missed by his family who meant so much to him, by his wide circle of friends and clergy and laity in the diocese of Killaloe. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

'KIND SHEPHERD'

Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dr Kieran O’Reilly, himself a former Bishop of Killaloe, said that it was with sadness that he learnt of the unexpected death. “On behalf of the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, together with Archbishop Emeritus, Dermot Clifford, I extend my sincere sympathy to Bishop Willie’s family, many friends, Bishop Fintan Monahan, the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Killaloe, on the death of their kind and generous shepherd.”

Archbishop O' Reilly added: “Bishop Willie welcomed me as his successor in 2010 to the diocese of Killaloe.

warm and friendly

“From the very beginning he was always warm, friendly and very supportive. I deeply appreciated his friendship.

"Over my years in Ennis, I discovered him to be an exceptionally kind and generous pastor with special care for those at the margins of society.

“His life was characterised by a generosity of spirit that made him a unique shepherd - his kind and generous heart was key to his ministry. He never ceased to reach out to those most in need.

“We thank the Lord for the years he shepherded the people of God in the diocese of Killaloe.  He touched the lives of many people in a profound and deeply spiritual way recognising in each person the presence of the divine.”

‘

CARING PASTOR’

Archbishop Eamon Martin described Most Reverend Walsh as “a caring pastor” was was “inspired by love of the Gospel, and, as his own motto put it, a bishop living by ‘the gentleness of Christ’.

“Throughout his almost 66 years of priesthood, Bishop Willie’s ministry demonstrated God’s love for all people - particularly those on the margins of society,” said Archbishop Martin.

Ireland South constituency Independent MEP Michael McNamara described Most Reverend Walsh as “a progressive and inclusive force” in the Church.“He will be greatly missed by the many he positively impacted in Clare, the Killaloe diocese and beyond throughout his life.”

The MEP recalled to memorable initiative undertaken by Bishop Walsh a quarter of a century ago when he walked the highways and byways of the diocese in a move to atone for abuse perpetuated by the church: “His Pilgrimage of Reconciliation in 1999 came at a turning point for Church-State relations in Ireland,” the MEP said.