Father Anthony Meaney CC

THE death of the Rev. Fr. Anthony Meaney, curate of the parish of Saul and Ballee, has been widely mourned. He was 84.

Such was his esteem and popularity, St. Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick was filled to capacity for the Requiem Mass on Saturday, March 22, which was celebrated by the Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most. Rev. Noel Treanor.

Also in attendance were Bishop Anthony Farquhar, Bishop Patrick Walsh and Fr. Paul Alexander, parish priest of Saul and Ballee, who delivered the homily. They were joined by representatives of the Carmelite Order based in Dublin, as well as clergy and parishioners from parishes in which Fr. Meaney served.

Fr. Meaney was born in Ballynacally, Co. Clare, in 1929 and was ordained into the Carmelite Order in July 1966. He taught in Dublin in the 1960s and in 1972 was appointed to the Diocese of Down and Connor.

He was a curate in Dunloy and Cloughmills, C. Antrim, between 1972 and 1983 before coming to Dundrum and Tyrella, where he remained until 1990 when he was appointed curate in Cushendall. He became curate at Saul and Ballee in 1994 and also served as a chaplain at Downe Hospital.

Fr. Meaney was a man of many talents. Among them, he was an accomplished pianist and could speak seven languages fluently.

Addressing mourners, Fr. Alexander said Fr. Meaney’s life was “lived by his faith” and he spent the last 40 years of his life “in the service of Jesus.”

He said Fr. Meaney never seemed to tire of his work, although he was private about his work and his personal life. “He was a man of faith and had to have a great love for the Lord and his people, otherwise he could not have worked as he did. He gave great service to everyone he met.”

Fr. Alexander said many people had been with left with precious memories of Fr. Meaney. “He served the Lord in the only way he knew. His lived out faith was nourished by his prayers and celebration of the sacraments. He came to know the Lord and no doubt be at ease in his presence, whether in the church or in the people he met.”

 After Requiem Mass Fr. Meaney was buried at Ballycruttle.