Séamus Freeman, S.A.C., a former bishop of Ossory, passed away (1944–2022).
Séamus Freeman death
Séamus Freeman, a former bishop of Ossory, passed away at the age of 78.
In Dublin, he passed away quietly in his family’s presence.
In addition to serving as the world leader of the Pallotine Order, Callan Man Freeman served as the Bishop of Ossory from 2007 until his retirement in 2016 due to poor health.
Séamus Freeman Cause of death
Séamus Freeman’s death was due to his deteriorating health.
Who was Séamus Freeman?
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Séamus Freeman, S.A.C., the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory, on September 14, 2007. He was born on February 23, 1944. On July 29, 2016, he resigned from his position as bishop.
Freeman was the eighth child and the oldest. He attended school in Callan, County Kilkenny, where his family had relocated.
Early life and career of Séamus Freeman
After finishing his studies, he joined the Pallottines at Thurles, County Tipperary. He studied philosophy and theology at University College Dublin and St. Patrick’s College in Thurles.
He was named rector and head of Pallottine formation in Thurles in 1981.
He remained at Thurles until 1989 when he was named the Society’s Vicar General. He later took on the role of Rector General, serving two terms of six years in that position.
He was named a parish priest in Rome in October 2004.
He was chosen as the Union of Catholic Apostolate’s General Coordination Council’s President in December 2005.
On December 2, 2007, he received his episcopal ordination and was consecrated. Metropolitan Archbishop Diarmuid Martin served as the chief consecrator, and Bishop Laurence Forrestal, the emeritus bishop of Ossory, and Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the Apostolic Nuncio, served as the principal co-consecrators.
In Kilkenny, Bishop Freeman was well-known and esteemed for his friendliness, empathetic disposition, and capacity for human connection.
Tributes to Séamus Freeman
Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Denis Nulty, was one of many who reacted to the news of his passing.
He made the following declaration: “Today (Saturday, August 20, 2022) just after noon, I received a call notifying me that Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Ossory, had passed away peacefully at Highfield Healthcare in Dublin while surrounded by his family.
“When I learned the news, I was reminded of the remarks made by Bishop Freeman in July 2016, when he resigned as Bishop of Ossory due to health reasons, in which he praised the honor of having served the people of the Ossory Diocese. He regretted not being able to continue leading the Diocese for a longer period of time.
“Bishop Freeman devotedly served the Church for many years, notably during his time as the Pallotine Order’s global leader, as a parish priest in Rome, and as the Bishop of Ossory here in Ireland. His genuine concern for every individual he met and his enthusiasm for pastoral renewal
“He helped the Diocesan Pastoral Plan come to fruition while he was in Ossory and gave special attention to the responsibility of laypeople in answering their baptismal call. He put in an endless effort to restore our lovely Cathedral Chapter House and the surrounding campus. This work, which is still being done, has improved the Diocese’s spiritual life and continues to be a fitting part of his legacy.
“As we keep his family, friends, his Pallotine brothers, and the priests of Ossory in our prayers in the days to come, we will all remember Bishop Freeman as a kind and kind pastor.”
A statement was also made by the Pallotines. “Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Pallottine Family,” it says in the letter. Greetings. We now have more depressing news.
“Mons. Seamus Freeman SAC passed away this afternoon at 13:25 in Dublin, Ireland, according to P. Liam MacClarey SAC, provincial of the Mother of Divine Love Province.
His health had recently been declining, and today he passed away.
“His services to the Society, the UAC, and the Church are all known to us. Mons. Freeman, one of the most well-known Pallottines in our history, has our eternal gratitude. Mons. Sèamus Freeman, who worked tirelessly to secure approval and served as the organization’s first President, is greatly owed by the Union of Catholic Apostolate.
“I offer P. Liam and the rest of the Irish Province our condolences on behalf of the entire Pallottine family. We offer up prayers for his soul’s peace.
May the Lord give him everlasting tranquilly.
Details of the funeral have not yet been released. Anam dlis, ar dheis Dé go raibh.
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