Société des Missions Africaines - Province d’Irlande

né le 24 novembre 1948 dans le diocèse de Cloyne, Irlande membre de la SMA le 25 juin 1969 prêtre le 14 juin 1975 décédé le 17 juin 1992

1975-1986 diocèse d’Ekiti, Nigeria 1986-1991 diocèse de Shinyanga, Tanzanie décédé à Cork Irlande, le 17 juin 1992 à l’âge de 43 ans

Richard Kelleher was born at Inegrega, Midleton, Co Cork, in the diocese of Cloyne, on 24 November 1948. He died in the Regional hospital (now renamed Cork University hospital), on Wednesday 17 June 1992

The youngest of a family of seven children, Richard (Dick) received his secondary education at Midleton C.B.S., Co Cork (1963-1964) and the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo (1964-1968). Dick commenced his formation for priesthood in the Society's novitiate at Kilcolgan, Co Galway in September 1968. A year later he began his philosophical and theological studies at St. Patrick's college, Maynooth, Co Kildare. He was one of the first group of S.M.A. students to study in that college. At the time the Society had not constructed a residence at Maynooth and the students resided in Rhetoric House, in the college, until 'S.M.A. House' was opened to students in September 1972. Dick was received as a member of the Society on 25 June 1969. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Patrick J. Kelly, retired bishop of Benin City diocese, at St. Joseph's church, Wilton, Cork, on 14 June 1975. Ordained with him on that day was his classmate and close friend, Michael Brennan, who was to die in a motor accident in Nigeria on 11 August 1976.

After ordination Dick was assigned, along with Michael Brennan, to Ekiti diocese, in south-western Nigeria. Ado-Ekiti, the seat of the diocese, had welcomed its first residential missionary in 1915. Jim Young, who came to Ekiti in 1931 wrote in his 'memoirs', that 'the congregation was very small, composed of Yorubas, mainly, and a handful of Igbos. The church was pretty poor, the house was shocking. The school wasn't too bad... Outstations were very important. Fr. (Phil) Corish (the superior) and myself made harvest in eighty-four outstations and there were buildings in most'. It was in these outstations that the future lay and the Church in Ekiti district prospered. In July 1972 Ekiti was erected as a diocese under the leadership of a Nigerian, Michael Patrick Olatunji Fagun.

When Dick came to Ekiti there was a catholic community of over 100,000 members and catechumens located in 12 parishes and served by a staff of eight priests. Dick served in Ekiti diocese between 1975-1986, apart from a year (1983-1984) when he was on sabbatical leave - spent at Maynooth. On his arrival in Ekiti, at the start of his missionary career, Dick was appointed to Oro where he was introduced to the missionary life, studying the local language, learning about local culture and undertaking supervised pastoral work. His first substantive appointment was to Ikerri, 10 miles south of Ado-Ekiti. Nearby living in Ikerri school was Owen McKenna, while Dick took up residence in the mission house. After two years Dick was transferred to Effon-Elaye as parish priest. His last appointment in Nigeria was to Oye-Ekiti. Dick was a tireless worker whose love for Africa and the Africans was always evident.

When the Irish Province undertook a new mission in Tanzania, in East Africa, and staff were being sought, Dick was one of those who came forward. It was tantamount to starting all over again, above all the daunting prospect of having to learn a new language. Dick did not baulk at this formidable barrier and August 1986 found him in the language school of Musoma, on the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Having completed his course Dick was appointed to Queen of the World parish, Ng'wamapalala, some ninety miles from diocesan headquarters. This parish encompassed some forty outlying villages which became the scene of Dick's labours. He spent five years (1986-1991) ministering in Shinayanga diocese. Dick's ill-health came as a shock to all who worked with him in Shinayanga. Characteristically he had concealed the pain which afflicted him until the very last moment. After surgery for the removal of a tumour in the Aga Khan hospital, Nairobi, in October 1991, he was brought home to the S.M.A. house at Blackrock Road, Cork, for further medical treatment. He did not recover from his illness and died peacefully.

Dick Kelleher was a man of great humanity, for which he was loved by his confreres and by the people among whom he worked, both in Nigeria and Tanzania. Discreet, wise beyond his years, with a good sense of humour and, above all, endowed with spiritual depth, Dick was a good friend to the many people who crossed his path in life. He was widely read, especially in theology, although he carefully concealed this from others. His enduring love was for Africa. When, in his long final illness he was in the midst of severe medical treatment, he continually planned for his return to Tanzania. When it became clear that he would not return, Dick faced that reality with courage and faith. In community Dick was a great asset, good-humoured, attentive, always gentle. Keenly interested in all sports, he was especially interested in G.A.A. affairs and an excellent analyst of matches and players. His brother, Denis, is a priest in the diocese of Cloyne. His sister, Mairead, is a religious of the O.L.S.H., formerly attached to the Sacred Heart college, Carrignavar, and now serving as a missionary in South Africa.

There is a tradition in Tanzania that when one dies away from home a plant is sown. It is believed that if this vegetation flourishes the spirit of the loved one has come home to dwell within. Two weeks after Dick's death a ceremonial sowing of this plant took place at the entrance to Queen of the World parish church, following a memorial Mass for Dick. Thousands of Dick's parishioners, and a large concourse of priests and religious led by Mgr. Zachary Baluda (vicar general of the diocese), attended the ceremony. A recent report, given by a missionary on vacation in Ireland, is that Dick's plant has flourished to the extent that its abundant growth almost obscures the stone crucifix which was erected in his memory also near the entrance to the church. This crucifix, designed by his confrere, Fionnbarra O'Cuilleanain, was blessed by the parish priest of Ng'wamapalala, Paddy O'Rourke, on 24th November 1993, the anniversary of Dick's birthday.

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.