Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 10 avril 1917 à Ballinamannin dans le diocèse de Tuam, Irlande membre de la SMA le 29 juin 1937 prêtre le 22 décembre 1940 décédé le 21 avril 1974

1941-1942 Cork, études universitaires 1943-1949 missionnaire au Liberia 1949-1974 Tenafly, animation 1956-1958, vice provincial décédé à Teaneck, USA, le 21 avril 1974, à l'âge de 57 ans

Thomas Larkin was born at Ballinamannin, Craughwell, Co Galway, Ireland, in the diocese of Galway, on April 10, l9l7. He died in the Holy Name hospital, Teaneck, New Jersey, USA, on April 21, l974.

Thomas (Tom) came from a farming background in Co Galway. He was one of five children born to Patrick and Julia (nee Cloonan) Larkin from near Craughwell. Tom attended the local national school, at Ballymana, for his primary education. He received his secondary education in the Sacred Heart College, Ballinafad, Co Mayo and St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork, graduating in 1935. In his last year at Wilton he attended lectures in the arts faculty at University College Cork, before going on to the novitiate and house of philosophy, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway. While in Kilcolgan Tom attended lectures at University College Galway and graduated with an honours B.A. degree (philosophy and education) in June l937. Later, in 1942 after his ordination he was to obtain a higher diploma in education from UCC. Tom studied theology in the Society's seminary, at Dromantine, Co Down, from l937 l94l. He was received as a member of the Society on June 29, l937 and was ordained a priest by Bishop Edward Mulhern of Dromore diocese, in St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, on December 22, l940. He was one of a group of nineteen ordained on that day.

After ordination Tom returned to Dromantine to complete his theological formation. Then, after his year at UCC, he was appointed to the Vicariate of Liberia. SMA. missionaries had first come to Liberia in 1906 when an Irish member, Stephen Kyne, was appointed prefect apostolic. Several earlier attempts to establish the Church in Liberia had failed, partly because of opposition from virulent Protestant sects (among the Americo Liberia ruling elite), partly because of inexperience and also because of the hazardous climate. Mgr. Kyne and his group of young missionaries managed to found a mission at Kekru, near Monrovia. In 1912 Liberia was entrusted to the Irish Province as its first mission, and regular reinforcements from Ireland ensured the future of the jurisdiction. Tom reached his mission in March 1943. Bishop John Collins, the vicar apostolic, assigned him to teach in St. Patrick's elementary school in Monrovia. He spent all of his first tour of duty in St. Patrick's, which from 1944 began to educate students beyond 'standard six', with a view to developing a full secondary college. When Tom went on his first home leave in August 1947 (he sailed on the M.V. Fulani), St. Patrick's had 60 students in its secondary department.

At this time the Vicariate was experiencing serious financial problems, partly because of a building programme which Bishop Collins was undertaking, which included a new home for St. Patrick's. Already in Cork a committee of laity had been formed to collect funds for the vicariate, and specifically the high school. There was also a serious staffing shortage, and it was envisaged by the Superior General and his council, that the recently formed American Province of the Society, would eventually take over the Cape Palmas/Kru Coast district as a separate prefecture. Peter Harrington, the American Provincial, invited Bishop Collins to send one of his missionaries to the USA to raise money for Liberia. Tom, whose health during his last year in Monrovia, gave cause for serious concern, was selected for this 'special mission'. Some months after his arrival in America Tom contracted tuberculosis and was hospitalised in New York in June 1949. He was visited by Bishop Collins who himself was in poor health. Before he fell ill Tom had collected $6,000 for Liberia. After treatment he was discharged in May 1950 and took up residence in the SMA. headquarters at Tenafly, New Jersey, from where he engaged in promotion work on behalf of Liberia.

In 1950 the Liberian Vicariate was divided and the prefecture of Cape Palmas was erected. As planned the American Province was given special responsibility for the new jurisdiction and henceforth Tom's fund raising activities were directed towards financing the American Province. Of course there could be no question of his returning to Liberia and, in 1950; Tom became a member of the American Province. Four years later he was appointed superior of the Tenafly house. During his 25 years in America Tom also edited the Province's magazine The African Angelus and served as chaplain to the Galway Mens' Association, New York City. He was also chaplain to the Retired Detectives of the New York Police Department. He was elected vice Provincial at the Assembly of l956, a post he occupied until l958. Tom was an able promoter of the Society and an efficient administrator. He is remembered for having organised a 'Centenary Flight' of supporters from America to Ireland to commemorate the foundation of the Society in 1856. He was also responsible for founding the 'Friends of the Liberian mission', which became an important resource for the impoverished West African mission. Tom continued to promote the Society vigorously, despite recurrent ill health, until stricken with cancer he became increasingly withdrawn and silent. He entered hospital two weeks before his death. He was 57 years old when he died and was survived by his mother who had been born in 1892. His uncle, James Larkin, was Parish Priest of Peterswell, Co Galway.

He is buried in the SMA Community Plot, Mount Carmel cemetery, Tenafly, New Jersey, USA.