An Irish missionary hero given a grand farewell by Lafia Diocese.

An Irish missionary hero given a grand farewell by Lafia Diocese.

Today, 9th April 2024, Fr. Donal Fennessy, an SMA missionary from Ireland who came to Nigeria in 1970 and has since ministered very admirably as a teacher and pastor in different parts of Nassarawa State passed on in Lafia on Wednesday, 27th, March 2024, during the Holy Week. His funeral was celebrated in St. William’s Catholic Cathedral Lafia with many clergy, religious and a huge number of lay faithful in attendance. The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Ryan, was present., just as the Deputy Governor of Nassarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe and his wife were in attendance at the solemn funeral Mass.

Fr. Fennessy was one of the few remaining expatriate missionary priests in Nigeria. He served to the end with all his mind, body, soul, grace and fervour, without counting the cost. He preferred to be buried in Nigeria (among the people he served), a country he loved and served so magnanimously. May the Lord grant him eternal rest and reward.

Fr. Richard Pat Hughes, an Irish Augustinian priest who served with missionary zeal and built many churches and schools in Nigeria also passed away in Ireland during the Holy Week. He had also served in Lafia Diocese for an extended period of time.

Sadly too, a diocesan priest, Fr. Anthony Allahnana of Lafia Diocese, died on Tuesday of Holy Week, 26th March, and was buried 3rd of April, 2024.

May their souls rest in perfect peace. Our heartfelt condolences to Bishop David Ajang and his good people of Lafia Diocese.