Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 11 janvier 1922 à Nutfield dans le diocèse de Confert, Irlande serment permanent le 14 juin 1946  prêtre le 18 juin 1947 décédé le 6 novembre 1994

1947-1948 UCC, further studies 1948-1993 missionnaire au Nigeria, Lagos 1993-1994 Blackrock Road, Cork décédé à Cork, Irlande, le 6 novembre 1994, à l'âge de 72 ans

Brendan Haniffy was born in Nutfield, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, in the diocese of Clonfert, on 11 January 1922. He died in the S.M.A. house at Blackrock Road, Cork, on 6 November 1994.

Born into a family of six boys and four girls, Brendan was educated in the colleges of the Society. He studied at the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo and at St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork, between 1936-1940. After matriculating, Brendan entered the novitiate and house of philosophy, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway, in September 1941. Two years later, in 1943, he commenced his theological formation in the Society's seminary, at Dromantine, Co Down. Brendan was received as a member of the Society on 1 July 1943. He was ordained a priest, along with fifteen colleagues, by Bishop Eugene O'Doherty of Dromore diocese, in St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, on 18 June 1947. During his last year in Wilton Brendan attended U.C.C. (1940-1941) and while at Kilcolgan he was a student at U.C.G., going out to lectures once a week and receiving lectures in the house from S.M.A. priests designated by the university. He was awarded an arts degree (philosophy and education) in 1943. After ordination he returned to U.C.C., residing at Wilton, where in 1948 he received a higher diploma in education.

In December 1948 Brendan set sail for Nigeria where he was assigned to the Lagos vicariate. He was to serve continuously in the Lagos jurisdiction until April 1993, a total of forty-five years. Over this period he attained the status of a legend among the people. Much of his time was spent in the field of education. He taught at St. Gregory's college, Lagos, Nigeria's first catholic secondary school; also at St. Theresa's minor seminary, Oke Are, Ibadan, and at St. Leo's teacher training college, Abeokuta, where for a period he was principal. From 1958 Brendan was education secretary for the archdiocese of Lagos (erected from the vicariate in 1950), in charge of the numerous schools and their teachers and responsible for dealings with the government education department on which vital financial subsidies depended. Brendan's first appointment to parish work came during his early years when he spent a short time as acting parish priest of St. Michael's parish, Lafiaji. Also, while teaching at St. Gregory's, he did pastoral work at week-ends, mainly at Holy Cross cathedral. In 1966 Brendan became parish priest of the Sacred Heart parish, Apapa, Lagos, a post he was to occupy for the next 26 years. From 1968 he also fulfilled the role of port chaplain - an appointment which he received from Rome - spending much time assisting sailors at the Seafarers Club, Apapa. He supervised, too, the building of the present modern church at Apapa. In addition to these responsibilities, Brendan accepted an appointment from Archbishop John Aggey to act as a prison chaplain in Lagos. Brendan returned to Ireland and entered the Mercy hospital, Cork, in June 1993. He died peacefully in Blackrock Road after a long illness. He was a brother of Sister Kieran, Presentation Sisters, Tasmania, and Father Mannix S.D.B.

Brendan's departure for Africa in 1948 brought to a premature end a very promising sporting career. For the previous four years, he had starred as a hurler and footballer for Galway, for St. Finbarr's Club in Cork and for U.C.C. He played in the Connaught football final against Mayo in 1948. He also played in two All-Ireland hurling semi-finals, in 1946 and 1947. A broken leg, sustained in a football game, prevented him from playing in another semi-final in 1945. While a student in U.C.C. he won a Cork county championship medal in 1947 (playing with St. Finbarrs against Sarsfields). Brendan was described by a contemporary hurling star and missionary colleague, Patrick Gantly, as 'strong, vigorous, extremely fast and fiercely competitive, a great athlete with enormous reserves of energy'. In later life he was a fine golfer.

Brendan's obituary in the African Missionary records: 'As he moved from one teaching job to another or visited mission stations as education secretary, he left behind a trail of memorable stories and adventures. Original and spontaneous, he was always challenging and stimulating, keeping those he encountered on their guard against becoming the butt of his ready tongue or the victim of his pranks. While never taking himself too seriously, he always took his duties very seriously, working with real success as a teacher, and winning the loyalty and co-operation of his staff members and students. His house was a lively centre of hospitality for colleagues and friends. Brendan owed much to the outgoing, welcoming family to which he belonged, a closely-knit family of sturdily independent members and high achievers.'

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.