Fr Austin Flannery OP died of a heart attack today at Kiltipper Woods Care Centre, Dublin 24.
Austin was born in Tipperary on January 1, 1925. He joined the Dominican Order in 1943 and ordained a priest in June 1950.
Immediately after the War he studied in Oxford with Dominicans from other European countries, including Dominicans from Germany. This was an attempt at reconciliation by the Order and the English Dominican Province. Also with Austin in Oxford was Fr Finbar Matthew Kelly, who is now in the Dominican Priory in Kilkenny.
Austin was one of the most well-known Irish Dominicans of his time.
During and after the Vatican Council he made available in English all the documents from the event.
At the helm of Dominican Publications, he was in a position to make available a wide range of religious publications to the general public.
He broke away from the clerical mind set of his time and spoke in a language that was appealing and made sense in a changing Ireland.
Austin had the great ability of making life-long friends with people across a wide spectrum of beliefs and ideas.
He had a great love for the Order and felt at home at St Saviour's in Dublin where he spent most of his Dominican life.
Some years ago German Railways named one of their InterCity trains after St Albert The Great. It was something Austin took great pride in and any time he met anyone with German connections he would make it his business to tell them about it.
Austin was well respected by his Dominican colleagues and those who lived with him speak fondly of a man, who was gracious and kind.
May he rest in peace.
Apologies that there is not a picture of Austin posted with this blog.
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7 comments:
Michael,
I'm very sad to hear of the death of Fr Flannery. I interviewed some years ago for a thesis on religious publishing - and marveled at his spirit to keep going where others would have long given up.
He is certainly an inspiration for those of us who toil in the religious publishing sphere and I wish him eternal rest and peace.
Garry O'Sullivan
Editor
The Irish Catholic
Chairman The Religious Press Association.
I first met Austin whenhe came to visit me in Nairiobi Kenya, Kenyayya died while he was at my house. He took great delight in recording Gounod's Ave Maria which the national radio was playing all day long. It was fascinating to watch him in Africa. He was interestred in everything especially to meet the people , theSisters and clergy. He made a unique contribution to Ireland and always kept his feet on the ground no matter what the controversy. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhilis. Sean P. Kealy C.S.Sp. Duquesne University, Pittsburgh.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~oflannery/bio/bioAF1925L.htm This link has got two good photographs of Austin.
Hi I couldn't see an email. Thank you for the kind words. I have a picture of Austin should you wish to use it FOC of course.
My email is alan@alanmurphy.ie
Alan Murphy - nephew of Austin.
Michael,
Thank you for this tribute to Austin Flannery and making the news of his passing available to us stray dogs of the Lord. It so happens I am in Trinidad for a couple of weeks and met earlier with the remnant of the brothers here - the anawim. Tomorrow is return to Canada time.
Austin was truly a great Irish Dominican and a marvellous exemplar of the Dominican way of life.
Thanks again,
Sean-Gerry Sexton-O'Seasnain
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
To Alan Murphy. Yes, I would be grateful if you emailed me a pic of Fr Austin. The two pics on the site referred to by 'Anonymous' cannot be downloaded. But thank you.
And to all, thank you for your comments.
The photos of Fr. Austin on the Flannery Clan website (www.flanneryclan.ie) hall of fame may not be downloaded directly from the website, but are readily available from the webmaster by simply asking.
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