Société des Missions Africaines - Province d’Irlande

né le 7 septembre 1916 à Cork dans le diocèse de Cork, Irlande membre de la SMA le 30 juin 1935 prêtre le 26 mars 1939 décédé le 4 mai 1995

1939-1950 vicariat de Lagos, Nigeria 1951-1958 préfecture d’Ibadan, Nigeria 1958-1984 diocèse d’Ibadan, Nigeria 1985-1986 aumônier dans les diocèses  de Cork et de Ross, Irlande 1986-1995 Cork, retiré décédé à Cork, Irlande, le 4 mai 1995 à l’âge de 78 ans

Francis O'Mahony was born in Cork city (his address was 2 Tony Ville, High Street), in the South parish of Cork diocese, on 7 September 1916. He died in St. Finbarr's hospital, Cork, on 4 May 1995.

Francis (Frank) was educated by the Christian Brothers, at Sullivan's Quay, Cork (1923 1932), and in St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork (1932 1933). He entered the Society's novitiate and house of philosophy, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway, in September 1933. Frank commenced his theological formation in the Society's seminary, at Dromantine, Co Down, in 1935. He was received as a member of the Society on 30 June 1935. He was too young to be ordained with his class in December 1938. Instead he was ordained in the oratory at Dromantine, by Bishop Edward Mulhern of Dromore diocese, on 26 March 1939.

After ordination Frank was appointed to the vicariate of the Bight of Benin, in south western Nigeria. This vicariate had been erected in 1870 through a division of the vast vicariate of Dahomey which had been formed ten years previously. Today this territory forms the archdioceses of Lagos and Ibadan, the dioceses of Oyo, Ijebu Ode, Ondo, Ilorin and Ekiti, and the prefecture of Kontagora. During his first tour of duty (1939 1945) Frank ministered in the towns of Ijebu Ode and Ilawe, and taught in St. Theresa's inter vicarial minor seminary at Oke Are, Ibadan. At that time this latter institution provided secondary education for some 30 seminarians from jurisdictions in the south west, west and even in the north of Nigeria. During this first tour Frank commenced his study of the Yoruba language in which he was to become fluent. Frank went on his first home leave in June 1945. For the last three months of his vacation he served on the staff of the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo, the Society's intermediate school. On his return to the vicariate (which in 1943 had been renamed the vicariate of Lagos) in June 1946 he was placed in charge of the Services Inn, at Elegbata, Lagos. The Services Inn catered for soldiers, sailors and airmen, many of whom were expatriates. After 18 months he returned to the staff of the Oke Are seminary where there were now over 40 students on the roll. He spent the last 18 months of this tour in the district of Ibadan, living at Ogunpa mission in the heart of Ibadan city. This station had been founded in 1907 under the patronage of Our Lady of the Seven Dolours. Frank joined Michael Drummond (the superior) in ministering to some 8,600 Catholics and 600 catechumens.

In 1953 the Ibadan region was erected into a prefecture apostolic under the leadership of Richard Finn. Frank was one of the founding members of the prefecture's staff. In 1958 the prefecture became a diocese. Frank served in the Ibadan jurisdiction until 1984, doing 11 tours of duty, each between 36 and 21 months duration. During this lengthy service he acted as Bishop Finn's secretary (1958 1962) and as vicar general of the diocese (1980 1984) under Bishop Felix Alaba A. Job who succeeded Dr. Finn in 1974. In the late 50's and early 60's he was director of the lay apostolate centre and the Y.C.W. When the Catholic secretariat for Nigeria opened an office in Ibadan in 1962 Frank was appointed secretary. Above all Frank was a pastoral man, taking charge of most of the main parishes in the jurisdiction which was erected as a diocese in 1958. He was superior of Oke Offa, 'the second principal station of the prefecture', in the early 1950's. Later he was to be administrator of the cathedral at Oke Padi. He was also to be parish priest at St. Joseph's, Oke Ado. He is particularly remembered in association with St. Gabriel's parish, Mokola, where he was parish priest for many years.

On 3 February 1984 Frank was conferred with the chieftaincy title Mayelesin of Ibadan. The ceremony was conducted by His Highness, the Olubadan of Ibadan (Chief of Ibadan City), Oba Yesufu Oloyede Ashanike. The chieftaincy title Mayelesin means 'constant in faith'. In September 1984 Frank resigned his position as vicar general of Ibadan diocese. Returning to Ireland he took up the post of chaplain to the Brothers of Charity, at St. Mary's, Rochestown. In 1986, after surgery for a hip replacement, he took up a chaplaincy in the O'Connell's Court nursing home, Windmill Road, Cork. During this period he resided with his sister, Una, in Mercier Park. In November 1992 Frank suffered a stroke which confined him thereafter to a wheelchair. He spent his last years in the S.M.A. community at Blackrock Road (1993 1995), entering St. Finbarr's hospital some weeks before his death.

On the occasion of the golden jubilee of his ordination in 1989 the Superior General, Patrick Harrington, wrote to Frank in the following terms: 'You left for shortly after your ordination in 1939. Even during the preliminary period of getting to know Nigeria (under such legendary figures as Tom Galvin), your organisational ability, efficiency and warm relationships with people were noted. These three traits were to stand you in good stead throughout your entire missionary career. As a foundation member of Ibadan diocese, you served as bishop's secretary, parish priest, school administrator and vicar general. All of these positions you filled with distinction, and won the appreciation and trust of confrères and people alike. It was in no way surprising to us when the people of Ibadan conferred on you a chieftaincy as a sign of their gratitude.' Frank was an outgoing pastor, intelligent and capable. He was a fine singer and in later years enjoyed a game of golf.

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.