Newsletter 17 November 2012

Newsletter 17 November 2012

BISHOP PATRICK SHEEHAN OSA

Born: May 28 1932

Ordained Priest: February 25 1956

Episcopal Ordination: 6 January 1971

Died: 8 November 2012

We were deeply saddened to learn last week at the passing of Bishop Sheehan. Bishop Sheehan died peacefully, at his residence the Augustinian Community, John’s Lane, Dublin, dearly beloved brother of Betty; very deeply regretted by his loving sister, nephews, nieces, cousins, all his relatives, his Augustinian Confrere, the Bishops, Priests, Religious and People of Yola and Kano, Diocese of Nigeria.

His funeral Mass was celebrated in the Augustinian Church, John’s Lane on Tuesday at and was buried later that day in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Tramore, Co. Waterford with his beloved parents and family.

Bishop Sheehan was appointed Bishop of Yola in 1971 and remained there for 25 years. The history of what is today diocese of Kano began in 1960. In the beginning of the missionary work of the Catholic Church in northern Nigeria, Kano played an important role when three priests of the society of African mission, SMA, first came to the area where the first Catholic Church was established.          

In July. 1996, Kano was raised to the status of Apostolic Vicariate, and Bishop Patrick Sheehan left Yola Diocese, and was appointed its bishop. Kano was made a Diocese in July. 1999, with Bishop Patrick F. Sheehan as it first bishop. Today the diocese has grown to twenty-three parishes and two chaplaincies; Bishop Sheehan had in his time also created three deaneries. Namely: Kano city and Tudun Wada Deaneries, both in Kano state. And Dutse deanery in Jigawa State.

He retired in March 2008, and for the last number of years, from the family home here in Tramore, regularly celebrated weekly Mass on a Sunday until just before last Christmas. Bishop William Lee officiated at the graveside in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Tramore, surrounded by Bishop Sheehan’s family, Confers, the Bishop of Yola, the Bishop of Kano and a number of confreres’ and members of the Augustinian Community, as well as a number of priests and parishioners here in the parish and part of the prayers were said in the native language of Kano.

May he Rest in Peace. Amen.