Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 2 avril 1936 à Tobberpatrick dans le diocèse de Killala, Irlande membre de la SMA le 24 juin 1956 prêtre le 21 décembre 1962 décédé le 17 janvier 1984

1963-1964 Wilton, études supérieures 1964-1967 Missionnaire au Nigeria, Kaduna 1967-1968 Maynooth, études supérieures 1968-1972 Dromantine, professeur de dogme 1973-1974 Chicago université, études supérieures 1974-1976 Irlande, travail pastoral 1976-1980 MIL, cours de théologie 1980-1983 USA, travail pastoral 1983-1984 Dedham, maison de formation sma décédé à Naples, USA, le 17 janvier 1984, à l'âge de 48 ans

Peter O'Connell was born at Tobberpatrick, Dromard, Co Sligo, in the parish of Skreen and the diocese of Killala, on 2 April 1936. He died in Florida, while residing with his brother William, on l7 January 1984.

A member of a large family from Co Sligo (his father was a National school teacher) which gave three of its members to the priesthood, Peter was educated in the Society's apostolic college, at Ballinafad, Co Mayo (1950 1955). He joined the S.M.A. novitiate, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway, in September 1955. A year later he went to St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork, which in 1953 had become a hostel for students attending U.C.C. Three years later, in 1959, he graduated with a first class honours degree in English and history. Peter studied theology in the Society's seminary, at Dromantine, Co Down. He had already been admitted as a member of the Society on 24 June 1956 and was ordained a priest, by Bishop Eugene O'Doherty of Dromore diocese, at St. Colman's cathedral, Newry, on 21 December 1962. He was one of a group of thirteen ordained on that day.

Peter's undergraduate academic record marked him out for further studies and a teaching ministry. His first appointment after ordination was to study at U.C.C. for a higher diploma in education. Residing in Wilton he secured this diploma in June 1964. He was then assigned to the archdiocese of Kaduna, in northern Nigeria, sailing for his mission in October 1964. He served there until 1967, teaching in St. Enda's teacher training college, Zaria. An eloquent preacher he was also called upon to give retreats in both Jos and Kaduna dioceses. On his return to Ireland at the end of his tour of duty he was assigned to the Dunboyne Institute attached to St. Patrick's college, Maynooth. Peter obtained a licentiate in theology (S.T.L.) within a year, graduating in June 1968. Three months later he was entrusted with the chair of dogmatic theology at Dromantine. Here he helped to introduce the students to the complex theological developments flowing from the Vatican Council. Peter is particularly remembered for his presentation of Eucharistic theology and Christology.

In 1972, with the closure of Dromantine as a seminary and the transfer of the students to Maynooth, Peter joined the academic staff at St. Patrick's college, Maynooth. In October 1973 he studied for some months at Chicago university, after which he returned to Ireland to take up a pastoral appointment. He spent some months of 1975 reading theology in Rome. Then in 1976 he joined the staff of the Missionary Institute situated at Mill Hill, London and which serves the various British based missionary societies including the British Province of the S.M.A. After lecturing in the institute for four years, Peter went to the U.S.A. where he worked first in the pastoral ministry and, from 1983, up to the onset of his final illness, at the S.M.A. house of formation in Dedham, near Boston.

In September 1983 Peter was taken ill and was admitted to Massachusetts General hospital. In December he went to convalesce with his brother, William, who was a priest in Florida. Peter was 47 years old when he died. A sensitive man, of outstanding intellect and great humanity, his parting at an early age was a severe loss to his family and to the Society. He was younger brother of Matthew O'Connell, who was ordained a priest in the Society in 1956.

He is buried at Skreen, Dromard, Co Sligo.