Archbishop Michael Neary pays tribute to the late Archbishop Joseph Cassidy RIP
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Tuam, Archbishop Michael Neary has announced the death of Archbishop Joseph Cassidy, Archbishop Emeritus of Tuam, who died last night. In paying tribute today to Archbishop Cassidy, Archbishop Neary said, “It was with much sadness that I heard the news of the passing of Archbishop Joseph Cassidy. Archbishop Cassidy was a much loved pastor throughout his long life and varied ministry. People and priests knew him as a deeply spiritual man and as a gifted teacher and communicator. Archbishop Cassidy was acknowledged throughout Ireland as a most articulate spokesman for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference throughout the 1980s. I express my sincere condolences to his family, to the priests of the Archdiocese of Tuam, to the dioceses of Achonry and Clonfert and to his very wide circle of friends within which I was privileged to be included. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh sé!”
Brief biographical details of the life and ministry of Joseph Cassidy (born 29 October 1933, a native Charlestown, Co. Mayo):
– Ordained Priest 21 June1959 for Achonry Diocese
– On loan to Clonfert in 1959 and was later incardinated into Clonfert diocese in the early 1960s
– Teacher in Saint Joseph’s College, Garbally from 1959-1977
– President, Saint Joseph’s College, Garbally, 1977-1979
– Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Clonfert on 24 August 1979
– Ordained Coadjutor Bishop of Clonfert on 23September 1979
– Installed Bishop of Clonfert on 1May 1982
– Translated to Tuam as Archbishop in September 1987
– Retired as Archbishop June 1995
– Parish Priest of Moore 1995
– Retired as Parish Priest of Moore 2009
– Died 31January 2013
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
