Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has issued the following statement on the death last Saturday, 20 August, of Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC, Bishop Emeritus of Ossory:
On behalf of the Irish Bishops’ Conference I offer prayers and deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Bishop Séamus Freeman, the former Bishop of Ossory.
Since his resignation in 2016 due to ill health, Bishop Séamus has sadly had to endure increasing frailty and illness and he did so with courage, patience and strong faith and trust in God.
Bishop Freeman was a committed member of the Episcopal Conference for nine years, bringing to our discussions many insights from his previous experience as a religious in the Pallotine Order and as a parish priest. He showed particular interest in pastoral renewal and faith development, chairing the Episcopal Commission in this area for some time. He also served as a Member of the Standing Committee and on the Episcopal Commission for Worship.
At his retirement six years ago, Bishop Séamus said he was overwhelmed, and indeed “very much humbled, by the kindness and absolute goodness” shown to him and hoped that, “despite human limitations” he had served God’s people well.
It is to God, who is full of mercy and compassion, that we now commend his soul asking for consolation for his family, friends, the people, priests and religious of the Diocese of Ossory, and the members of his former religious order, the Pallottines.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.