Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 22 septembre 1910 à Maryborough dans le diocèse de Kildare & Leighlin membre de la SMA le 2 juillet 1930 prêtre le 10 juin 1934 décédé le 30 octobre 1995

1934-1952 missionnaire dans l'Ouest Nigeria 1953-1954 Irlande, animation vocationnelle 1955-1959 supérieur régional au Nigeria 1960-1968 USA et Irlande, promotion work 1968-1992 USA, diocèse de Joliet 1992-1995 Portlaoise, retiré décédé à Portlaoise, Irlande, le 30 octobre 1995 à l'âge de 85 ans

Matthew Walsh was born in Old Barrack Road, Maryborough (the family address was 54 Main Street, Maryborough), Co Laois, in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, on 22 September 1910. He died in his sleep on 30 October 1995.

Matthew (Matt) was a son of Patrick and Bridget Walsh who had a bakery business in Market Square, Portlaoise. Matt received his secondary education in the colleges of the Society. He studied at the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo (1924-1925) and St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork (1925-1928) before entering the Society's novitiate and house of philosophy at Kilcolgan, Co Galway. Matt received his theological formation in the major seminary at Dromantine, Co Down. He became a member of the Society on 2 July 1930, and was ordained a priest in St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, by Bishop Edward Mulhern of Dromore diocese, on 10 June 1934. He was one of a group of seventeen ordained on that day.

After ordination Matt was appointed to the vicariate of Western Nigeria, the first mission in Nigeria to be entrusted to the Irish Province when Thomas Broderick was nominated vicar apostolic in 1918. Bishop Broderick had died in 1933 and Leo Hale Taylor, nominated in February 1934, welcomed Matt on his arrival in October 1934, posting him to Agenebode mission. Here, under the guidance of Tom Greene, Matt was introduced to the missionary life, learning the local language, studying local culture and undertaking supervised pastoral work. After six months Matt passed his 'language' and 'canonicals' examinations and received faculties to hear confessions. In December 1936 Matt was appointed to Sapele mission, in Warri Province, where Patrick Shine was superior. This station, founded in 1926, had been built up by Fr. Shine and by Patrick J. Kelly (later to become bishop of the jurisdiction). Matt went to Ireland on his first home leave in October 1938. On his return to Nigeria, a year later, he resumed his duties in Sapele, under Fr. Shine. In May 1941 Matt contracted blackwater fever, which in many cases had proved fatal for missionaries. However Matt survived and was invalided home to Ireland where he undertook a long convalescence.

In 1943 the borders of the vicariate were readjusted and its name was changed to 'the vicariate of Asaba-Benin'. When Matt returned to Nigeria, in June 1942, the vicar apostolic, now Patrick J. Kelly, posted him to Uromi. After three months Matt was transferred to Okene, where he was to spend the remaining years of this third tour of duty. Okene, home of the Igbirrah people, was one of the four residential stations of Lokoja district, the others being Lokoja itself, Kabba and Oka. There was a catholic community of some 480 members and 800 catechumens attached to Okene and its sixteen secondary stations. When Matt returned from his next home leave, in August 1947, he was posted to Sapele, assisting John Mahon, the pro-vicar. A year later, with Fr. Mahon's change of residence to Agbor, Matt became superior at Sapele, where he was assisted by Bill Power. In April 1950, with the erection of the Nigerian hierarchy, the vicariate was erected as a diocese, under the title of 'Benin City'. During his next home leave, in the Spring of 1952, Matt fell seriously ill, and his superiors decided to keep him in Ireland. From January 1953 until October 1954 he was engaged in mission promotion work, a task for which he demonstrated an exceptional aptitude.

Back to full health, on 26 October 1954 Matt was nominated 'regional superior' of Benin City diocese, responsible for the spiritual and temporal welfare of his confreres, responsible too for their placements and for the induction of newly-arrived missionaries. He arrived in Nigeria in January 1955, discharging his duties first from St. Columba's college, Agbor, later from the catholic mission in Benin City, and finally, from a fine new regional's residence which Matt built at Uromi in 1957. Matt was to remain 'regional superior' until August 1959. He was a conscientious superior, visiting the members regularly, spending time with them, relating well to Bishop Kelly, and keeping in constant touch with his superiors in Ireland. He also did much to make the tyrocinium at St. Philomena's a welcoming environment for newly-arrived colleagues as well as a good preparation for their future work.

When Matt came to Ireland on home leave in 1960, the Provincial, John A. Creaven, asked him to go the U.S.A. on a fund-raising mission. Mathew accepted and went to American in October. This was not an easy assignment as the American Province of the Society had its own fund-raising department and not everyone appreciated the initiation of an Irish Province project. However Matt was an ideal choice, warm, diplomatic, and optimistic. Eventually an arrangement was worked out with the American Province which provided for a sharing of the funds raised. Taking up residence in the S.M.A. house at East St. Louis and working alongside his American confreres, Matt began work in the American mid-west. In 1961 Matt moved to Chicago, to a newly-opened S.M.A. house on Ellis Avenue. In October 1963 Matt returned to Ireland where he undertook fund-raising in the dioceses of Raphoe, Clonfert and Achonry.

In August 1965 Matt resumed his promotion work in the U.S.A, working first in Chicago, then in New York (residing in the S.M.A. house at Tenafly, New Jersey), and returning again to Chicago. In November 1968 the joint-fund-raising project between the Irish and American Provinces was discontinued. During his years on promotion Matt continued to request a mission appointment from the Provincial. A letter of 24 April 1964 ended with the sentence: 'So please, Father, put my name at the top of the list of applicants for a job in Benin City diocese. In the meantime, I shall do my best as a "beggar for Christ"'. Another letter, written in 1965, included the sentence: 'Father, my heart is in the missions... no appointment would give me more satisfaction than one to the diocese of Benin City'. His superiors decision to retain him in the work of promotion was due to the fact that few members of the Province were as successful in this difficult assignment.

In November 1968 Matt took up an appointment as assistant pastor in the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Morris, in the diocese of Joliet, Illinois. Two years later he was transferred to St. Petronille's rectory, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a rural parish near Chicago. Matt continued to solicit funds for the Society's missions, and especially the mission to Argentina. In February 1975 Bishop Blanchette of Joliet diocese appointed Matt administrator of St. Peter's church, Piper City, Illinois. Matt remained in this parish until he retired to Portlaoise in July 1992, taking up residence with his sister at 1 Market Square and, later, at 'Woodvale', Stradbally Road. On his retirement, Joseph L. Imesch, bishop of Joliet, wrote to Matt: 'You have been a real blessing to this Church of Joliet. In many ways, your ministry has been a model for others. I know that you have certainly been a constant and strong support for me, and I am grateful'. Matt celebrated the diamond jubilee of his ordination with his confreres at Blackrock Road.

Matt had a great love of the G.A.A., which he developed while a student with the Christian Brothers in Portlaoise. He was a key player on school hurling teams and was on the Laois side that faced Kilkenny in the inaugural minor hurling championship. In 1933 he helped his county win the Leinster junior hurling title. He remained an avid G.A.A. supporter to the end. It was a fitting and lovely tribute that he was the Honorary Life President of Portlaoise G.A.A. club. He also had a great love for country, playing his part during troubled times.

He is buried in the new cemetery, Portlaoise, Co Laois.