Michael Kelly (Jesuit)

Fr. Michael J. Kelly (19 May 1929 – 15 January 2021)[1] was an Irish Jesuit priest and missionary in Zambia. He is known for his education work around the HIV-AIDS pandemic.[2][3][4]

Professor Father

Michael J. Kelly

S.J. Ph.D. LL.D.
Born19 May 1929
Tullamore, County Offaly, Irish Free State
Died15 January 2021 (aged 91)
Zambia
CitizenshipIrish, then Zambian
Alma materUniversity College Dublin
University of Birmingham
ReligionCatholic
Ordained1961
Congregations served
Society of Jesus
Websitefathermichaelkellyzambia.org

Early life

Michael J. Kelly was born in Tullamore into a family of seven, three of whom (Michael, Joseph and Robert (Bob)), became Jesuit priests.[5] While training as a Jesuit priest, he studied at University College Dublin gaining first-class honours BA in maths and mathematical physics in 1951 and an MA in 1952, continuing his formation he gained licentiate in philosophy in 1955.

Religious life

In 1955 Kelly was sent to Northern Rhodesia as a missionary.[6] He taught mathematics at the Canisius School. He was ordained in 1961, and later became principal of the school. Then, he received a doctorate in education from the University of Birmingham. In the mid-60s, he became a citizen of the new Republic of Zambia. Fr. Kelly then established centres for education, veterinary science and agriculture in Lusaka. He was then elected Dean of Education at the University of Zambia and, subsequently, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Education.

Fr. Kelly was intimately involved in planning for health education during the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia.[7]

Honours

In 2006 Fr. Kelly received an honorary degree Doctor of Laws from UCD. In 2012, he received an honorary degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.[8]

In 2012 Prof. Kelly was awarded one of the first Presidential Awards for Irish Abroad for his contributions to Peace, Reconciliation and Development, from the Irish Government.[9]

In 2018 Professor Kelly received the Order of Distinguished Service from President Edgar Lungu.

In 2020 he appeared on an Irish postage stamp, as part of series honouring "The Irish Abroad."[10][11][12]

See also

References
  1. Michael Kelly (missionary) Irish Jesuit Archives
  2. "The Covid-19 Poverty Tsunami". Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland. 24 April 2020.
  3. "Tribute to Michael J. Kelly SJ". www.jesuitmissions.ie.
  4. Kelly, Michael J.; Bain, Brendan (18 July 2005). Education and HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. Ian Randle Publishers. ISBN 9789766371807 – via Google Books.
  5. TEXT OF THE INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DR HUGHBRADY, President, University College Dublin on 16 June 2006, on the occasion of the conferring of the Degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on MICHAEL KELLY, SJ
  6. "Fr Michael J Kelly SJ and 60 Years in Zambia". www.jesuitmissions.ie.
  7. "Fr Michael Kelly S.J. (b. 1929) (part 1)". 1 February 2017.
  8. "Professor Michael Kelly HIV and AIDS Lecture – November 28, 2019".
  9. Tánaiste announces recipients of first Presidential Awards for Irish Abroad Merrion Street, 5 September 2012.
  10. "An Post - The Irish Abroad 'N Rate' Strip Of Three".
  11. "Jesuit missionary features on St Patrick's Day stamps". 11 March 2020.
  12. Murphy, Gavin T. (26 February 2020). "Michael J Kelly SJ on 'Irish Abroad' postage stamp".
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