Bishop Willie Walsh remembered as an “outstanding human being”

“THANK God for the life and times of this outstanding human being, this man with such a gift for friendship, who for so many made this world a better place.”

Thus stated Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan in his homily at the funeral of his predecessor Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh in the Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul in Ennis on Monday. Burial took place afterwards in the church grounds.

Bishop Walsh died suddenly but peacefully at his home on Wednesday last just two days short of the 66th anniversary of his ordination. He had celebrated his 90th birthday in January of this year.

There were many tributes for Bishop Walsh, both from his fellow bishops and also from many ordinary people who had encountered him over the years.

Bishop Willie Walsh was born on January 16th, 1935, the youngest of six children, near Roscrea, County Tipperary. He attended primary school in Corville National School, Roscrea Boys National School, and secondary school in St Flannan’s College, Ennis.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Luigi Traglia on February 21st 1959 in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.

Bishop Willie was appointed to the staff of St Flannan’s College in 1963. He was passionate about hurling and was central to the success of many teams in St Flannan’s College, Éire Óg club in Ennis, and Co. Clare. He was also involved in the foundation of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council in the Diocese of Killaloe in 1970, working with marriage tribunals at diocesan, regional and national levels.

He was appointed curate at Ennis Cathedral in 1988, and subsequently administrator in 1990, a position he held until his appointment as coadjutor bishop of Killaloe on June 21st 1994. Following the sudden death of Bishop Michael Harty on August 8th 1994, Bishop Willie succeeded to the see, and was ordained as Bishop of Killaloe by the Archbishop of Cashel-Emly, Dermot Clifford, on October 2nd in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Ennis.

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.

In accordance with canon law, Bishop Willie submitted his episcopal resignation to the Congregation for Bishops on his 75th birthday on January 16th 2010. Just five weeks ago Bishop Willie celebrated his 90th birthday on January 16th and celebrated the 11.30am Mass on Sunday January 19th in thanksgiving, which was his last public Mass in the Cathedral that he loved so well.

Bishop Monahan was chief celebrant of the Funeral Mass on Monday, which was attended by Bishop Willie’s family, friends and many people who shared in the blessings of Bishop Willie’s pastoral care.

Concelebrants included Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly of Cashel and Emly, Bishop Ger Nash of Ferns, Fr Laurence Walsh OCSO of Our Lady of Silence Abbey Roscrea along with other Bishops and Priests in attendance.

Music for the Liturgy was led by the Cathedral Choir (including members of the Forever Young Choir, of which Bishop Willie was a founding member) directed by Fiona Walsh. Organist was Eoin Shanahan.

In his homily Bishop Monahan noted that “during the week we were busy praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis. While we were doing that a pastor cut out of the same cloth as the Holy Father stole away with no warning and less fuss. Willie Walsh died as he lived, getting on with the business of things, not hanging around, just moving on with intent and clear direction.

“The title of his acclaimed autobiography is No Crusader. Yet in his typical, understated, yet very effective, way he was a profound and effective crusader, winning people over to genuine Christian values through kindness, understanding, listening, generosity, care for the poor, the marginalised, people struggling and suffering in life.

“He did this through his unstinting work with the travelling community, his pastoral outreach to survivors of abuse, the sick, the vulnerable, so many who availed of his spiritual outreach as a true pastor of Jesus Christ.

“I just got to know Bishop Willie personally eight and a half years ago on coming here to Ennis. His warmth, kindness and ever available wisdom was such an asset to help settle in. Even though he immersed himself in enjoying a richly deserved retirement with so many hobbies, interests and such a wide circle of friends and his most beloved family - he was always available to help out and offer a word of advice if requested,” said Bishop Monahan.

“Whether as a teacher in St Flannan’s College, Parish Priest in Ennis or Bishop of Killaloe, Willie immersed himself wholeheartedly in getting to know people, their interests, their needs, sharing their ups and downs and bringing the Gospel values to them in a warm and attractive manner.

“Being a natural communicator, and a keen linguist he liked to exercise his mind with his interest in languages, mainly Italian agus An Ghaeilge. On the day before he died he was polishing up one of his party pieces for an occasion he was invited to on Friday, his Latin version of the song Molly Malone!,” he said.

“As a bishop he led with vision and clarity encouraging pastoral planning to address urgent needs establishing the cluster system, empowering lay people, adult faith development, scripture exploration, support for marriage through his work with Accord, improving the role of women in the Church, youth ministry, pilgrimages, outreach to the poor in the developing world in Africa, South Africa and of course at home.

“Willie was a radical in the true sense of the word. He challenged unquestioned beliefs, the accepted mores of society and in doing so stripped them back to their origin, measuring them up against what he believed was the core of the Gospel, Cineáltas Chríost, the Gentleness of Christ. Being frequently out-spoken, he stirred things up. This sometimes ruffled feathers, was occasionally misunderstood, upset a few and others saw it as an effort to overturn hard earned orthodoxy. However Willie, often in thinking out loud - did this with raw honesty, integrity, conviction and belief that his exploration, questioning was a legitimate response to arriving at the divinely revealed truth using the gifts that God generously bestowed upon us.

“May he experience the joy of heaven in which he believed and see in the face of God a mirror of the Gentleness of Christ, Cineáltas Chríost,” Bishop Monahan added.

Bishop Monahan received a message from the Substitute of the Holy See, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State stating that “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Emeritus William Walsh and he sends condolences to you, the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Killaloe. Recalling with gratitude the kind and gentle way with which he carried out his Episcopal Ministry, His Holiness commends the late Bishop's soul to the mercy of Christ the Good Shepherd. To those gathered for the Mass of Christian burial and to all who mourn his passing, in the sure hope of the resurrection, the Holy Father imparts his blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.”

In a tribute after his death Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, Cashel & Emly, who succeeded Bishop Walsh in Killaloe in 2010, said “Bishop Willie welcomed me as his successor in 2010 to the diocese of Killaloe. 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,” he said.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said “I was sad to learn this morning of the death of Bishop Willie Walsh, a caring pastor, 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.
“As President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, I wish to acknowledge Bishop Willie’s steadfast commitment in support of sacramental marriage. This was evident in his role as President of the Catholic marriage care agency, Accord. Bishop Willie’s leadership in the area of marriage preparation, and counselling, was characterised by his support for all entering into Catholic marriage, as well as in his sincere compassion and outreach for those experiencing difficulties in their marriages and relationships, something which continues to inspire the work of Accord to this day.
“In addition, I wish to acknowledge Bishop Willie’s strong contribution, from 1994 to 2010, to the work of the Bishops’ Conference, in particular as a member of the Episcopal Commissions for Pastoral Care, Social Welfare; Education; and, of Research and Development.
“Bishop Willie was a gifted communicator who was a beloved figure in his native diocese of Killaloe, and throughout the country,” he added.

Bishop Denis Nulty, Kildare & Leighlin said “Bishop Willie was President of Accord from 1999 to 2009. He was associated with Accord since a centre was established in Ennis in 1969. He credited Accord’s members with teaching him 'so much about such precious human values as self-acceptance, empathy, generous sharing, mutual support, affection and love'.
“His kindly demeanour, pastoral approach and personal warmth endeared him to all of us in Accord. The phrase Pope Francis so often uses around sacramental marriage, ‘accompaniment’, was very much part of Bishop Willie’s philosophy in life,” said Bishop Nulty.

During their February meeting the Councillors of Nenagh Municipal District paid tribute to Bishop Willie.

Cllr John Carroll pointed out that the Bishop was one of the best leaders in the Irish Church, who had frequently led by example.

“Bishop Willie lived out the Christian message in his life,” remarked Cllr Carroll, “because he was genuinely humble, kind and forgiving.

“I remember being particularly impressed by him when he embarked on a walking trip during November and December 1999 around the parishes of the Killaloe Diocese, asking the people in each parish for their forgiveness for the Church's sins. That was the type of person he was. He didn't try to dodge the issue, but met it head on and really stepped up to the plate. Many of us believe that there were and are many decent and genuine clergymen and women in the Church and they shouldn't be tarred with the brush of public opinion because of the sins of others.

“Bishop Willie was a great leader, an inspirational person and a good person. He will be hugely missed.”

Bishop Walsh was predeceased by his parents Ellen and William, brothers Joe, Eddie and John and his sisters Maura and Catherine.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews; Karina, Michael, Emma, Willie, Miriam, Jim, Mark, Liz and Con and their families, sister-in-law Christine, his cousin Fr Laurence OCSO, Bishop Fintan Monahan and the clergy, religious and laity of the diocese of Killaloe and his wide circle of friends, to all of whom sympathy is extended.