Fr Kieran O’Mahony OSA has been remembered as a “fearless ecumenist” who built friendships across Christian traditions and helped bring Christians together through Scripture.
Archbishop Michael Jackson described the Augustinian priest as a “staunch friend of the Church of Ireland”, recalling in particular his work on Ecumenical Bible Week. “It has grown to a success beyond expectation and recognition thanks to Kieran’s energy and skills,” Archbishop Jackson said.
Fr O’Mahony also served as an Ecumenical Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and regularly gave lectures on St Paul at Christ Church Cathedral.
The Lutheran Church in Ireland described him as “an ecumenist through and through, committed to building bridges of understanding, friendship and faith among Christians”.
The Church recalled his contribution to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and his role as a main initiator of the annual Bible Week, saying: “Dublin has lost a strong and trusted voice for ecumenism, and our church has lost a very good friend.”
Nick Park, Executive Director of Evangelical Alliance Ireland, also paid tribute, recalling how he and Fr O’Mahony “came from very different backgrounds” but enjoyed working together for several years on Ecumenical Bible Week in Dublin. He described Fr O’Mahony as “a great New Testament scholar who loved Jesus”.
AMRI also remembered him as “a true ecumenist and follower of the Gospel”, while the Belfast Jesuit Centre described him as a “great ally and friend” whose ministry was devoted to opening the Scriptures to others.
Fr O’Mahony died peacefully at Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, on August 18.