The retired Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Joseph Cassidy, died yesterday, 30
January aged 79. The news was announced by Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary.
In paying tribute to Archbishop Cassidy, Archbishop Neary said: “It was with much sadness that I heard the news of the passing of Archbishop Joseph Cassidy. Archbishop Cassidy was a much loved pastor throughout his long life and varied ministry. People and priests knew him as a deeply spiritual man and as a gifted teacher and communicator. Archbishop Cassidy was acknowledged throughout Ireland as a most articulate spokesman for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference throughout the 1980s. I express my sincere condolences to his family, to the priests of the Archdiocese of Tuam, to the dioceses of Achonry and Clonfert and to his very wide circle of friends within which I was privileged to be included. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh sé.”
Cardinal Seán Brady said: "It is with great sadness that I heard news today of the passing of Archbishop Joseph Cassidy, the former Archbishop of Tuam. For over fifty years Archbishop Cassidy served the people of God with dedication and distinction in the dioceses of Achonry, Clonfert and Tuam. A man of supreme pastoral care and a lovely sense of humour, he combined love for the Church with a wonderful understanding of the people with whom he was privileged to work. Superbly gifted as a communicator, Archbishop Cassidy dedicated much time and thought to honing and chiseling the words to sensitively fit the theme and the occasion. He did so selflessly and had no regrets at all about the efforts involved because he was ever anxious that the ensuing glory should be given to God and not to himself."
Joseph Cassidy was born 29 October 1933, a native Charlestown, Co. Mayo. He was Ordained Priest on 21 June 1959 for Achonry Diocese and was on loan to Clonfert in 1959 and was later incardinated into Clonfert diocese in the early 1960s.
He worked as a teacher in Saint Joseph’s College, Garbally from 1959-1977 and was President of Saint Joseph’s from 1977-1979.
On 24 August 1979 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Clonfert.
He was ordained Coadjutor Bishop of Clonfert on 23 September 1979 and installed as Bishop of Clonfert on 1 May 1982.
In September 1987 he was translated to Tuam as Archbishop.
He retired in June 1995.