Death of Bishop Brendan Comiskey SS CC, Emeritus Bishop of Ferns

Statement of Archbishop Dermot Farrell

I am greatly saddened by the news of the death of the Bishop Emeritus of Ferns, Brendan Comiskey, SS CC. After his initial theological studies, Bishop Comiskey was ordained a priest for Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, on 25th June 1961. In the following years he undertook postgraduate studies in theology in the Pontifical University of St John Lateran, Rome (STL), and the Pontifical University, Maynooth (DD), and later a degree in business management at Trinity College, Dublin (MSc).

He was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin and Titular Bishop of Tibili on 20th January 1980, and served in that role until his installation as Bishop of Ferns on 4th April 1984. On 1st April 2002, following the broadcast of a BBC documentary on child abuse in the Diocese, he resigned as Bishop of Ferns, saying that the diocesan bishop was to be a “binding force among people and priests within the ministry of the Church”. He continued: “I am not the person who can best achieve the aims of unity and reconciliation. My continuation in office could indeed be an obstacle to healing.” His decision necessitated both courage and strength; his words communicated both his humility, and the painful discovery of the reality of abuse, and its long-lasting consequences. It brought him to the realisation that those who shepherd the Lord’s flock were to be more concerned about the survivors, the most vulnerable, than about themselves, their position in society, their reputation, or their status.

I offer my personal sympathies and prayers to his family, to the members of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, priests, religious, friends, and to the many people whose lives he touched throughout his 64 years of priestly and episcopal ministry. We ask the Lord to grant him eternal rest.

I ask the priests, religious and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Dublin and all those who knew Bishop Comiskey SS CC to join with me in praying for the repose of the soul of this faithful shepherd and a person who followed Christ with all his heart.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

+Dermot Farrell,
Archbishop of Dublin