Cathal BarryThe priest who presided at the funeral of Tony Fenton has spoken of how the legendary DJ returned to his faith in his final days.
Fr Brendan Kealy, whose friendship with Fenton stretches back to before he became a priest, told The Irish Catholic the radio presenter received the sacraments and became a daily communicant before he died.
Revealing that he, along with Tony’s girlfriend Sinead Lynch, a practicing Catholic, had been “praying for Tony’s conversion”, Fr Kealy said he paid Fenton an “emotional visit” in late January after he had received the news “that it wasn’t looking good”.
“I brought the Eucharist and a Divine Mercy image with me to give him,” the priest said.
“Tony understood at that stage that all he had left was Christ and he asked for the sacraments.”
Fr Kealy administered the Sacrament of the Sick to Tony and heard his Confession before celebrating Mass at his bedside.
“It was lovely and Tony rang me later that day to tell me a real sense of peace and joy had descended into his heart. He felt that God was calling him home early.
“I truly believe the image of Divine Mercy had a huge contribution to Tony’s conversion. It just goes to show it’s never too late to renew your faith,” he said.