Bishop Brendan Comiskey, Emeritus Bishop of Ferns died on Monday, 28 April 2025. Bishop Brendan was a native of Clontibret, Co Monaghan and was a priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Bishop Brendan was appointed Bishop of Ferns in succession to Bishop Donal Herlihy. He had been Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin since 1979. He resigned as Bishop in April 2002, and returned to live with his Congregation.
During his time as Bishop of Ferns he was a tireless worker and very innovative. Amongst other things he established Christian Media Trust in collaboration with the local heads of the Church of Ireland and the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.
This initiative continues today to provide religious material for radio listeners on many issues, and also to provide liturgies from the different denominations through the cooperation of South East Radio. This initiative also reflected Bishop Brendan’s commitment to good ecumenical relations and during the past week, the other Christian Churches have reached out to express their condolences at his passing.
Bishop Comiskey resigned in April 2002 following revelations of sexual abuse of minors in the Diocese of Ferns. He acknowledged that his failure to act in relation to complaints had made his position as Bishop untenable.
The full extent of the complaints and the failure to act by Diocesan authorities was subsequently revealed in the Ferns Report which was published in October 2005.
The Diocese, with sorrow for past wrongs, continues to reach out to survivors of abuse by any member of the Church and to assure them of a space to be listened to.
Bishop Comiskey had a treasured place in his own family and was greatly loved as an uncle, brother in law and granduncle.
We in the Diocese of Ferns extend our sympathies to his family and friends and all who mourn his passing, and hope that their memories of him will bring them consolation in the days ahead.
For priests who join religious orders as Bishop Brendan did, the Congregation becomes a second family and so we sympathise with his brother priests in the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, especially those who shared community life with him during the years since 2002, and who will no doubt miss his cheerful and engaging presence.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis