Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin pictured with a Parish Priest Fr. Phelim McKeown in his own diocese. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has paid tribute to a Tyrone priest after his sudden death over the weekend.
Fr Phelim McKeown was a “caring and pastoral priest” who had a “particular empathy for those who were suffering and struggling in any way”.
Fr Phelim was ordained in 1996 in Mullaghbawn and served in parishes both north and south of the border.
He became parish priest of Kilsaran in August 2014 but had to leave due to ill health in 2016.
“In recent months, Fr Phelim had begun a gradual return to his pastoral duties, all the more reason why his death has come as such a shock to all of us,” said Archbishop Martin.
His funeral took place on Wednesday, February 20.