Generous Fr Tom Kiggins was a powerful and kindly presence
THOMAS Joseph (Tom) Kiggins was born on August 2, 1942, to John Kiggins and his wife Winifred (née Ward) in Roxboro, Kilchreest, Co Galway. He attended Kilchreest National School from 1947 to 1955 and St Brendan’s Secondary School (De La Salle), Loughrea, from 1955 to 1959.
He came to St Patrick’s Missionary Society in Kiltegan in September 1959 for the Spiritual Year. He then went to St Patrick’s, Douglas, Cork and studied at University College Cork where he graduated with an honours degree in History and English in 1963. He returned to Kiltegan for his theological studies in September 1963 and was ordained on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967 in St Brigid’s Church, Hacketstown, by Bishop Patrick Lennon, then Auxiliary Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.
After ordination Fr Tom was appointed to study for a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, specialising in dogmatic theology. He graduated in June 1969 and was appointed to the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya, but was first sent to teach theology at St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Nairobi. In 1972, he went to Kitui and taught at St Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Mwingi. He was then appointed to the Diocese of Eldoret and ministered at the Mitume Centre in Kitale. He spent a short while studying theology in San Francisco before taking up a pastoral appointment at the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare. From 1976 to 1980, he was a member of the teaching staff at St Patrick’s College, Kiltegan. He returned to Africa in 1980 and ministered in Nakuru Diocese. He was very involved in diocesan administration, in communications and in publishing. Along with Liam Blayney, he edited a monthly magazine in Swahili called ‘Mwananchi’. Fr Tom returned to Ireland in the late 1980s and took on the massive task of writing the history of the Society.
He lived at High Park House and published his opus magnum in 1991, Maynooth Mission to Africa, the Story of St Patrick’s, Kiltegan. It is regarded by all as the definitive history of the society. He also acted as Assistant Local Superior during the last year of his stay in Kiltegan.
After completing the Loreto House Programme in 1992, he was appointed Executive Secretary of the Irish Missionary Union, a post he held until 2000. He lived with the Mill Hill Missionaries in Dartry during those years. He was elected a member of the Central Leadership Team at the 2002 Chapter. When his term finished in 2008 he joined Martin Smith and Loretta Brennan on the Africa magazine team and worked at the Africa desk until 2011. He ‘retired’ for a short while until his appointment as Assistant District Leader for Ireland in December 2014.
Fr Tom was a big man physically and he also had a very big heart. He was a powerful and kindly presence wherever he went. He was generous and gracious in his dealings with everyone. He was blessed with a very keen intellect and was a brilliant writer. His written work was noted for its clarity, its succinctness, its sobriety and its elegance.
He knew the society like nobody else. Fr Tom was the go-to man in many situations because of the depth of his knowledge and the breadth of his experience in society matters. Members valued his advice and judgement and he was at all times fair, balanced, objective and blessed with an abundance of common sense. He had a special bond with past students and forged life-long friendships with many of the Kenyan priests whom he taught during his time in St Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Nairobi.
Fr Tom had a special empathy for those who struggled and found life difficult. He was very open about his own struggles. He had a constancy and solidity which were remarkable. He was a very gracious host and was meticulous in his preparations for any society event. He had a mischievous sense of humour at times and never took himself too seriously. He remained close to his family and neighbours and loved his visits home. Despite his great intelligence and his many gifts, Tom remained a very humble and unassuming man with simple tastes. A good cup of strong tea was often all he wanted!
Tom began to feel unwell in mid- October but soldiered on until October 24 when he was admitted to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin. He underwent many tests. Sadly his condition deteriorated rapidly. He died at 1.50 p.m. on Friday, November 10.
Tom’s Funeral Mass took place at St Patrick’s, Kiltegan, on Monday, November 13. He was laid to rest in the society cemetery.
Tom is survived by his brother Sean, his sister-in-law Maura, his niece Elaine ( Wasser), his nephews John and Barry and their families and a wide circle of friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.