Chai Brady
The Irish Jesuit is remembered as a missionary who contributed to the health and wellbeing of the African people, writes Chai Brady
Tributes have been paid to Irish priest Prof. Michael J. Kelly SJ who died in Zambia on Friday. He was 91 years old, and was a world-renowned authority in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Fr Kelly has been described by his confrères as a leading scientist whose humility was as deep as his intellect.
Fr Leonard Moloney SJ, Irish Jesuit Provincial, spoke fondly of Fr Kelly following his death mentioning in particular two relatively recent meetings he had with him in Zambia.
The first was in 2004 when Fr Moloney was on sabbatical and spent a few weeks with Fr Kelly in Luwisha House, the Jesuit house in Lusaka. “I remember him bringing me to a care home for people with HIV/AIDS. It was a very moving experience. And I also remember his garden full of all sorts of fruits and vegetables, he was passionate about gardening and was a great gardener himself,” Fr Moloney said.
The second time he met Fr Kelly was on a recent visit to the Zambia/Malawai province with Fr John Guiney SJ, Director of IMI (Irish Missions International). “I had a good chat with him in his room, which was full of his books and papers,” he recalled. “And I really had the sense that this was his home – I was right about that for he soon told me that he was not going back to Ireland and that he would like to die in Zambia. So I am glad at least that his wish was fulfilled today,” Fr Moloney said.
Exceptional
The provincial described Fr Kelly as an “exceptional person who contributed so much globally through his work and research on HIV/AIDS.
“And he contributed to the health and wellbeing of the African people, particularly those in Zambia whom he loved. And as an Irish Jesuit, I have to say, he was simply an outstanding Jesuit brother,” Fr Moloney said.
Last year, Fr Kelly featured in ‘The Irish Abroad’ series of stamps from An Post. Reflecting on the honour at the time, he wrote: “Through my image on a postage stamp, for the next year or so I will be looking out on all sorts of places in this beautiful world of ours and thereby sharing the private lives of so many people in the intimacy of their homes and personal moments.
“And I think that it would be so wonderful if only I could make my paper image hear what the people are saying, voice my support for them in their trials and difficulties, encourage them, lift their spirits, and share the good news of the Lord with all who stick that image on to an envelope or see it on the letters they receive,” he wrote.
Tribute
President Michael D. Higgins also paid tribute to the Jesuit. “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Fr Michael Kelly in his adopted home of Zambia,” Mr Higgins said.
“As an academic, writer and educator, Fr Michael made an immense contribution to improved health outcomes for many people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through his work with Irish Aid and several multilateral organisations, he was an inspirational figure to health workers, aid workers, humanitarians and diplomats from Ireland, Zambia and beyond.”
The President said Fr Kelly “epitomised the great work of Irish missionaries in the education and health spheres in so many parts of the world. His humanity shone through in his work and in his encounters with all who were fortunate enough to have met him”.
Fr Kelly moved to Zambia in the 1970s and was also an active human rights campaigner, researcher and author. He wrote 15 books and worked as a consultant for organisations such as the World Bank and Unesco.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said he was very sorry to hear for Fr Kelly’s death, whose work, he said, was “inspirational”.
“He leaves a legacy of achievement, driving policy changes not just in Zambia but on the international stage,” the minister said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs hosts an annual Fr Michael Kelly lecture to mark World Aids Day.
“This event will serve as a reminder of the outstandingv work and rich legacy of Fr Michael Kelly. I offer my condolences to his family and many friends. Ireland and Zambia mourn the loss of a true hero,” President Higgins said in his remarks.
Fr Kelly, who was a frequent visitor to his native Ireland, was born in Tullamore, Co. Offaly
A statement from the Irish Jesuit Province said: “He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and Jesuit brothers. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís”.