Dublin: death of Bishop James Kavanagh

Source: Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth

The retired Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, James Kavanagh, died peacefully in the early hours of this morning at Sybil Hill Nursing Home, Raheny. He was 88 years of age. Upon hearing of his passing, the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell said: "It is with the deepest regret that I have been informed of the death of Bishop James Kavanagh. He was my devoted brother in the episcopate, my friend and constant support. By his pastoral charity he was beloved of the priests, religious and people of the diocese - a good and faithful servant now called to enter into the joy of the Lord. May he receive the fullness of eternal life in the love and mercy of the Master he served so well."

Bishop Kavanagh is survived by his brother Fr Mark Kavanagh of the Columban Fathers, his sisters, brother -in-law, nephews and nieces and many friends. Bishop Kavanagh's body will be received into the Church of the Holy Child, Swords Road, Whitehall, in Dublin tomorrow at 5pm. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Monday 12 August, at the Church of the Holy Child, Swords Road, Whitehall, with burial afterwards in Glasnevin cemetery. James Kavanagh was born on 3 March 1914.

He attended the National School, William St, Laurence O'Toole's C.B.S. and from 1928-32, O'Connell Schools. He was awarded a First Class Scholarship on the Intermediate Certificate, a University Scholarship on the Leaving Certificate, and was an Entrance Scholar to University College, Dublin. He entered the diocesan seminary, Holy Cross College, Clonliffe in 1932. He graduated with First Class Honours in 1935.

He was ordained at St Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1939. For the next two years he was Professor of Philosophy at St. Patrick's Missionary College, Kiltegan, before becoming army chaplain at Clancy Barracks, Dublin. From 1945-1947 he studied at Campion Hall, Oxford, where he obtained the Diploma in Economics and Political Science with Distinction. Bishop Kavanagh served as curate in Crumlin parish from 1947-1949 and curate at Westland Row from 1949-1951. From 1951-1954 he was first Director of the Dublin Institute of Adult Education. From 1954-1956 he studied at Christ College Cambridge where he gained an MA Hons in Economics. From 1956-1973 he was a lecturer at University College Dublin. and appointed Professor of Social Science in 1966. In 1973 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin; and ordained Titular Bishop of Zerta on 8 April. From 1976-1980 he served as Parish Priest of Larkhill/Whitehall parish.

Even though he retired as Auxiliary Bishop when he reached the age of 77 in 1991, Bishop Kavanagh remained active in the diocese celebrating Confirmations until 1998, and attending many diocesan meetings. He had many links with the Trade Union Movement.

His book, "A Manual of Social Ethics" was widely used in schools and colleges. He was a respected and sought after arbiter in many industrial disputes, hunger strikes and hostage situations. Bishop Kavanagh had a deep love of sport. He captained the O'Connell's Schools' Senior Hurling Team. He played hurling for the Dublin minors. At soccer, he played inside right. Whilst pursuing post-graduate studies at Oxford in the 1940s he played for Jesus College the year they won the Oxford League. In the last match of that series he scored three of the goals in his team's 4-3 win. He continued his interest in soccer by being Vice President of Home Farm AFC in the 1970s.

He regularly enjoyed golf, often at Portmarnock, and established the James Kavanagh Shield Competition for the Annual golf outing of priests of the Dublin Diocese. He had a keen interest in the Irish language, spending many holidays in the Ballyferriter Gaeltacht.