TRIBUTES have been paid to a missionary priest from Castlewellan who has died at the age of 95.
Fr Patrick Jennings passed away on Palm Sunday, April 5, at the Society of African Missions house in Cork where he had led an active life until shortly before his death.
Born in 1925, Fr Jennings became a member of the SMA in 1945 and was ordained into the priesthood in Newry on June 14, 1949. He celebrated his 70th anniversary as a priest last year.
As a young man he had played Gaelic football for Castewellan GAC.
In 1949, Fr Jennings became one of the first Irish missionaries to travel by plane to Africa.
He spent his vocation in both Nigeria and Ireland, holding various titles including superior of the noviciate in Galway, provincial secretary in Cork and assistant to the provincial bursar.
Requiem Mass took place in Cork last Tuesday with members of Fr Jennings’ family watching online.
Speaking at the Mass, Fr Tim Cullinane said Fr Jennings had given great service to the SMA.
“The vibrant church that exists in Nigeria today is, in part, the fruit of the many seeds of priesthood he nourished during his time in minor seminary in Ibadan,” he said.
“In everything he did he was a faithful servant, committed to duty, dedicated and conscientious.
“What a record of service to God and to the church, to the SMA, and to Africa.”
Fr Cullinane said Fr Jennings was a good singer, a keen golfer and someone who embraced new technology.
He added: “Today we say farewell to him, not in the way we and his family would have wanted to. That will come later, God willing.”
Posting on its Facebook page, Castlewellan GAC said it was “deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former member and past player, Fr Patrick (Paddy) Jennings.