Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 15 mai 1912 à Aghegad, creggs dans le diocèse d'Elphin, Irlande membre de la SMA le 29 juin 1938 prêtre le 14 décembre 1941 décédé le 6 juin 1986

1942-1943 Wilton, études supérieures 1943-1944 Ballinafad, professeur 1945-1953 missionnaire au Nigeria, diocèse de Ondo 1954-1962 Ballinafad, professeur 1962-1967 Kilcogan, professeur 1967-1974 Blackrock Road, Cork, animation missionnaire 1974-1982 Blackrock Road, Cork, finances 1982-1985 Knock, retiré 1985-1986 Blackrock Road, Cork, retiré décédé à Creggs, Irlande, le 6 juin 1986, à l'âge de 74 ans

John Keaveney was born at Aghegad, Creggs, Co Roscommon, in the diocese of Elphin, on 15 May 1912. He died, unexpectedly, while visiting the home of his sister-in-law, at Curragh, Castlecoote, Co Roscommon (in Creggs district), on 6 June 1986.

John was educated in the colleges of the Society. He studied at the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo (1929-1932), and St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork (1932 1935). An excellent student, after matriculating he joined the novitiate and house of philosophy, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway. Two years later, on 29 June 1938, he became a member of the Society. He went to Dromantine, Co Down, for the completion of his seminary formation and was ordained a priest by Bishop Edward Mulhern of Dromore diocese, at St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, on 14 December 1941. He was one of a group of ten ordained on that day. During his last year in Wilton John had attended lectures in philosophy and education, at U.C.C. Later, while in Kilcolgan, he had studied at U.C.G., going out to the college for a 'block' of classes one day each week; other lectures were given in the house by an S.M.A. priest designated by the university. In 1938 John obtained a B.A. degree from U.C.G. (education and philosophy).

After ordination John returned to U.C.C., residing at Wilton, where he acquired a higher diploma in education, graduating in June 1943. He was then appointed to Ballinafad where he taught Latin until June 1945. Ballinafad, at that time, provided a three-year intermediate certificate course and, also, tuition in Latin for mature students in preparation for their ecclesiastical studies. John was next appointed to the vicariate of Ondo-Ilorin, in south-western Nigeria. This jurisdiction had been erected in January 1943 when territory from the vicariates of the Bight of Benin and Western Nigeria was detached. Thomas P. Hughes was appointed first vicar-apostolic. When John arrived Bishop Hughes posted him to the staff of St. Augustine's teacher training college, at Akure (later re-named St. Peter's). After a year John was appointed principal of this important institution which provided the vicariate with capable teachers for its expanding network of elementary schools.

In December 1947 John fell ill, suffering from extended fevers, and was hospitalised in Lagos. After a month, having made little progress, he was invalided home to Ireland. William Field, the 'visitor' (responsible for the welfare of the members) wrote to the Irish Provincial that 'he (John) did not like the idea of going home - he was hoping against hope that he would be able to carry on, but I think we have done the wisest thing in sending him home. The doctor here said that he expects that with the change of climate he should pull up again very quickly'. John returned to Nigeria in November 1949, five months before the erection of the jurisdiction as the diocese of Ondo. He arrived at a time when Bishop Hughes was building a secondary school at Akure. John was appointed founder-principal of this school, St. Thomas Aquinas college, which opened its doors in January 1951 with one class. By September 1953 there were three classes with 84 pupils in residence. Moreover additional buildings were being erected (John was intimately involved in this work) in order to double the capacity of the school.

In December 1953 John returned to Ireland on home leave. On his journey he went for a consultation in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, where he was diagnosed as having diabetes. Futher tests in the Bon Secours hospital, Cork, confirmed the diagnosis and it was clear that John would be unable to return to the tropics. After a period of rest, in September 1954 John was appointed to the teaching staff at Ballinafad, now a full secondary school, with 120 students. John continued to teach until June 1962 when he was transferred to Kilcolgan, which was then the 'spiritual year' or 'year of probation' for aspirants. In September 1967 John was posted to the Province's headquarters at Blackrock Road, Cork, where he helped in the main promotion office. From 1969 he was chief assistant to Martin Whyte, director of the 'main office'. He also worked as manager of the African Missionary, the Province's magazine.

From October 1974 John worked in the 'treasury' at Blackrock Road, processing the many donations and Mass offerings which were so essential to the conduct of the Province's missions. During these years he spent each summer at Knock Shrine helping to meet the many thousands of pilgrims and spending long hours in the confessional. In January 1982 John visited Nigeria in the hope that he might be able to return to Africa on a permanent basis. During his visit he received a rapturous reception from the staff and students of St. Thomas Aquinas college (now one of the premier colleges in Nigeria) which must have brought back many happy memories. He stayed in Ondo diocese for little more than a month (April-May), until ill-health forced him to return home. This was a great disappointment to him but John's acceptance of God's will was exemplary. From this time on John spent much of his time at Knock on the pastoral staff of that great place of pilgrimage, returning to Blackrock Road for the winter months.

From May 1985 John was in failing health. He recovered sufficiently to go to Knock for two weeks at the end of May 1986. He then went home to visit his family in Roscommon, where he died. John had a deep devotion to Our Lady, which accounts in no small measure for his love of Knock Shrine. He was also a fine educationalist and a keen Latinist. He truly enjoyed Ovid, Virgil and Livy and in later life would recite lengthy passages from these poets.

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.