Patrick Joseph Kelly (Bishop)
Encyclopedia
Patrick Joseph Kelly, Bishop of Benin City
, 31 August 1894 - 18 August 1991.
A native of Barnacragh, Ballinasloe. His grandparents lived on Seymour estate, Clontuskert.
Trained as a missionary
priest, Kelly joined the SMA
(Society for African Missions), attending the seminary at Blackrock road, Cork
. Ordained there 29 June 1921, he spent much of his religious life spent in Nigeria
. Many of his colleges died young on the missions. He was consecrated bishop at St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe, on the 2 June 1940, but was unable to return to Africa
because of World War II
until 1941. He was notable for aiding in the construction of dozens of schools and churches in the diocese
. There were 157 schools in 1939; in 1973, there were 786. He retired in 1973.
Benin City
Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...
, 31 August 1894 - 18 August 1991.
A native of Barnacragh, Ballinasloe. His grandparents lived on Seymour estate, Clontuskert.
Trained as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
priest, Kelly joined the SMA
SMA
-Education:* Saint Mary's Academy, Rawalpindi, a private English-medium school in Pakistan* Saint Mary's Academy, Dominica, a private high school in the island of Dominica, in the Caribbean...
(Society for African Missions), attending the seminary at Blackrock road, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. Ordained there 29 June 1921, he spent much of his religious life spent in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. Many of his colleges died young on the missions. He was consecrated bishop at St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe, on the 2 June 1940, but was unable to return to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
because of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
until 1941. He was notable for aiding in the construction of dozens of schools and churches in the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. There were 157 schools in 1939; in 1973, there were 786. He retired in 1973.