Statement by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, upon the death of Bishop William Lee RIP, Bishop Emeritus of Waterford and Lismore
It is with great sadness and profound respect that I announce the passing of our beloved predecessor, Bishop William Lee, who died this morning, 5 January.
Bishop Lee dedicated his life to serving the Catholic Church and the people of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore with firm commitment and passion. As we mourn his loss, we ask for your prayers for the repose of his soul.
From 1993 until his retirement in 2013, Bishop Lee served as the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore with unwavering dedication and compassion. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the spiritual needs of the faithful were met and that the Church continued to be a beacon of hope and guidance for all. His commitment to the people of this Diocese, his steadfast love for the Church and his wisdom and friendship will be sorely missed.
Born in 1941, Bishop Lee was ordained to the priesthood in 1966, and later earned a Doctorate in Canon Law and served as President of Saint Patrick’s College, Thurles, before being appointed as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1993.
Bishop Lee also served as Secretary to the Irish Episcopal Conference for 15 years, from 1998 until 2013.
We ask for your prayers for the repose of his soul, and we give thanks for his many years of service to the Church and the people he served.
May he rest in peace.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
Bishop William Lee was born in Newport, Co. Tipperary, on December 2, 1941. He received his early education at the Convent of Mercy National school, the Boy’s National school, Newport and later at Rockwell College, Cashel. He studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth and was ordained in 1966.
After ordination he studied Canon Law at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1969.
Later in 1969, he was appointed curate in the parish of Finglas West in the Archdiocese of Dublin where he ministered for two years.
On his return from Dublin, he studied Canon Law for a short period at the Gregorian University, Rome.
Bishop Lee was then appointed Bursar and Professor of Philosophy at Saint Patrick’s College, Thurles. While there he served on the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal, was Chairperson of the Diocesan Catholic Marriage Advisory Council and was a member of the first National Executive of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council in Ireland.
He was appointed President of Saint Patrick’s College, Thurles, in 1987, and was ordained Bishop of Waterford and Lismore on 25 July, 1993.
He served on the Commission for Clergy, Seminaries and Vocations and the Commission for the Laity of the Episcopal Conference and was also President of Accord.
Bishop Lee retired as Bishop of Waterford & Lismore on 1 October, 2013.
