Malachy O'Dwyer OP

The piece below appers in today's Irish Times. It is an appreciation of Malachy O'Dwyer OP, who died on Friday, June 13 in Dublin.

Michael Commane
Malachy O’Dwyer, baptised Jeremiah, was born in Dublin in 1932 and attended CBS O’Connell Secondary School. He joined the Dominicans in 1954 and was ordained a priest in 1960 after which he moved to Rome where he studied canon law.

He taught canon law in Argentina, and at the Dominican house of studies in Tallaght. He taught theology in Nagpur in India.

A former student remarked that Malachy made it his business to know the name of every person he taught.

When Malachy made a decision he was firm. His yes meant a real yes and no meant a real no. If it was no, it was difficult for him to change his stance.

On hearing the news of Malachy’s death the community at Santa Sabina in Rome prayed for him the next day at Mass. The Gospel ended with the line: “Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Anything more is from the evil one. (Matthew: 5:37)

Malachy was always punctual. He would stop a meeting in mid-sentence if the time was up, to the relief of many.

He played a major role in re-establishing the Dominican Order in India in the 1980s.

He learnt to assimilate himself in the country and greatly enjoyed Indian food. He learnt the local language Hindi in a short time. He wrote his doctoral thesis in canon law in Latin.

Malachy was appointed procurator general of the Order in 1989. The procurator’s job is to liaise between the Order and the Vatican. Malachy was the perfect link man.

Many Dominicans, who left the Order, speak highly of how Malachy dealt so deftly with their laicisation process.

English Dominican and a former Master of the Order, Timothy Radcliffe says of Malachy: “He taught me the importance of trusting in the brothers, even when they made mistakes. He showed me that the constitutions were vital for the life of the Order and even, to my surprise, that canon law is filled with wisdom and beautiful theology. He was a great Dominican, and a wonderful Christian.”

A Dominican who later left the Order said about Malachy on hearing of his death: “I see him as being kind of eternal, always centred and radiating all that’s good in life, so I’m struggling to come to terms with his death. I pray to him that he may share some of his peace with me.

He had eclectic tastes and hobbies. He was well versed in English literature, made a large proportion of the furniture for the extension to the Dominican Priory in Tallaght, which was completed in 1957.

He was also a great walker. While living in Santa Sabina in Rome he regularly walked the perimeter of the old walls of the city, which is approximately 40 kilometres.

Malachy had a wonderful ability and great sense to use his knowledge, his faith, his understanding of theology and canon law to help people on their journey in life. He genuinely believed in the quality and aspirations of other people and he made no exceptions.

He died on Friday, June 13 in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin after a long illness, having returned from India just six weeks earlier.

He is survived by his sisters, Rita Kelly, Kitty Kelly and Betty McCorry, and predeceased by Nancy Brooks.