Tributes paid following the deaths of two Sligo priests
THE DEATHS have occurred of two Sligo priests.
Fr Seán Gildea and Fr Seán Maurice Cunningham passed away last weekend in the North West Hospice and Mowlam Nursing Home respectively. Fr Seán Gildea, who was aged 98, was a native of Riverstown who served with the Franciscan Missions to Zimbabwe for 43 years, starting in 1960. He returned in 2003 for health reasons and served the community of Rossnowlagh in Co. Donegal for a number of years.
He had previously served in the Irish Army before joining the Franciscans.
The Irish Franciscans paid tribute to Fr Gildea, calling him “one of the most outstanding pioneers of the Franciscan mission” in Zimbabwe where he served the people there with “extraordinary dedication and loving enthusiasm”.
He was predeceased by his parents, Dominic and Anne and brother Michael. He is survived by his sisters Nancy and Stella, brothers Willie, Paddy, Frank and Jimmy, sistersin-law Noreen and Liala, nephews, nieces, parishioners and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Franciscan Friary in Rossnowlagh yesterday, Wednesday. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery.
Meanwhile, Fr Seán Maurice Cunningham was a native of Co. Tyrone who served in the Holy Cross Friary on High Street in Sligo town. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Elphin said: “Parishioners and clergy of the Diocese of Elphin, especially in the Sligo area, will be sorry to hear of the death of Fr Seán Cunningham of Holy Cross Dominican Friary.
“Fr Seán was a faithful confessor and a tireless advocate for life. May he rest in peace. We offer our sympathies and prayers to the Dominican Community.”
Requiem Mass for Fr Seán was held yesterday, Wednesday, at the Holy Cross Friary.
Burial followed at Sligo Cemetery.