Frank Kelly hailed as ‘committed’ Catholic

Frank Kelly was a “committed” Catholic, according to the celebrated actor’s former parish priest.

Mr Kelly, who was famous for roles including Fr Jack Hackett in the hit series Fr Ted, died on Sunday aged 77.

Speaking to The Irish Catholic ahead of concelebrating at the actor’s funeral on Wednesday at the Church of the Guardian Angels in Blackrock in Dublin, Fr Anthony Gaughan described Mr Kelly as being “very committed to what the Church stands for”.

“Frank was very loyal. Even when he was ill in recent years he still turned up at Mass every Sunday,” Fr Gaughan said.

Mr Kelly, speaking on RTÉ’s John Murray Show in 2014 while portraying The Bishop in John B. Keane’s Moll, described the importance of faith in his life.

“I find it incredibly fulfilling. The more I have practised and the more I have prayed, it has become more and more real.

“I spend 10 minutes on my knees every morning and I pray at night as well,” he said, adding that he always tried to go to Mass, even when he was “careless” about his faith.