‘Irresponsibility, infidelity and sin are particularly shocking in the lives of those preaching the Gospel’
Frank words at Eamonn Casey’s funeral Mass
BISHOP Eamonn Casey, who secretly fathered a son during a love affair with an American woman, ‘profoundly upset the Church’, his funeral Mass heard yesterday.
During a frank homily, Bishop of Achonry Brendan Kelly conceded that despite all the good Bishop Casey did, the emergence 25 years ago of ‘other hidden realities’ in his life had hurt and wounded people.
Bishop Kelly was addressing a congregation of around 1,600 mourners at the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas in Galway city.
Around 100 priests and bishops attended the Mass along with President Michael D Higgins and family members. The Taoiseach was represented by his aide-decamp Colonel Kieran Carey. Éamon Ó Cuiv TD was also there.
During his homily Bishop Kelly said the good done by Bishop Casey in his life must be weighed against his mistakes.
He said: ‘There are those of us who remember with gratitude his kindness and encouragement when personally we most needed it. Then 25 years ago, the emergence into the light of other hidden realities in his life, beginning with the fact that he had a son Peter, were profoundly upsetting for the Church and for people in general.
‘This is neither the time nor the place to go over the details which in any case are very well-known not only in Ireland but indeed all over the world. Yes, we are all sinners, but irresponsibility, infidelity and sin are particularly shocking in the lives of those who preach the Gospel.’
Bishop Casey’s son Peter, whom he fathered with American divorcee Annie Murphy while acting Bishop of Galway, did not attend the funeral nor did Ms Murphy. Bishop Kelly told mourners: ‘In 1992 Bishop Eamonn resigned and left the country.
‘He expressed his sorrow many times, apologised and asked for forgiveness. But people had been hurt and wounded, wounds that do not always heal easily or quickly. We remember these people too today. We acknowledge their suffering. We pray for continued healing and peace for them.’
He said Bishop Casey was ‘a doer’ not just within his dioceses, but on the national and international scene with the development, from 1973, of Trócaire and as a defender of the rights of people who were oppressed and poor.
Bishop Kelly recalled Bishop Casey’s courage in attending to dozens of stricken people when soldiers opened fire at the funeral of his murdered friend Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador in 1980, during which 50 mourners died. After his homily, Bishop Kelly received a round of applause from the congregation.
During the 90-minute service, the late cleric’s niece Helena O’Hara carried the Casey and Shanahan family crests to the altar. His sister in law Vera Casey carried a Trócaire box representing his work with the international relief charity.
The chief celebrant for yesterday’s Mass was Bishop of Clonfert John Kirby. The service was attended by bishops and priests from around the diocese.
Bishop Casey was appointed as Bishop of Kerry in 1969 and was then transferred to head the Galway Diocese in 1976.
He worked in the development of Trócaire in 1973 and as a defender of the rights of people were oppressed and poor.
He played a vital role in bringing Pope John Paul II to Ireland in 1979 and was known as a colourful and larger than life character.
Both he and the late Fr Michael Cleary were known as the ‘warm up act’ for Pope John Paul’s visit to Ireland.
Bishop Casey was 46 years old and Annie Murphy was 24 when their son was born. She gave birth
‘Wounds don’t heal easily or quickly’ ‘Defender of the rights of people’
in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and has claimed the nuns tried to force her to give up their son Peter for adoption.
Bishop Casey’s health deteriorated on Ash Wednesday and he died on Monday at the age of 89. His remains were placed in the crypt of the cathedral in Galway.
The late cleric’s sister Ita Furlong was unable to attend her brother’s funeral due to an illness while their brother, Fr Micheal, was absent as he lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Peter Murphy, now 42, was included in the family’s statement on Monday evening following Bishop Casey’s death. It’s understood the man has told relatives here he plans to visit Ireland later in the year.