Séamus Hegarty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most ReverendDr Séamus Hegarty, D.D. |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Derry | |
| Diocese | Derry |
| Appointed | 1 October 1994 |
| Enthroned | 6 November 1994 |
| Reign ended | 23 November 2011 |
| Predecessor | Edward Daly |
| Successor | Donal McKeown |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 19 June 1966 |
| Consecration | 28 March 1982 by Tomás Ó Fiaich |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 January 1940 Kilcar, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Died | 20 September 2019 (aged 79) Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post | Bishop of Raphoe |
Séamus Hegarty (born January 26, 1940 – died September 20, 2019) was an important Irish Catholic leader. He was a Bishop in two different areas of Ireland. First, he was the Bishop of Raphoe from 1982 to 1994. After that, he became the Bishop of Derry from 1994 until 2011.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Séamus Hegarty was born in Kilcar, a town in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1940. He grew up with his brother, Dermot, and his sister, Maire. He went to school at Kilcar National School.
Later, he attended St Eunan's College in Letterkenny. From 1959 to 1966, he studied at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. He learned a lot there and graduated with a degree in Celtic Studies.
He was very good at languages. He could speak Irish, English, and German fluently.
Becoming a Priest and Teacher
On June 19, 1966, Séamus Hegarty became a priest. Archbishop John Charles McQuaid of Dublin led the ceremony at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. After becoming a priest, he started teaching.
He taught at Colaiste na Croise Naofa in Falcarragh. He later became the President of that school, from 1971 to 1981. He also helped create Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola in 1973.
He became the first Principal of this new school. With his hard work and the help of his staff, it became a very successful school. Before he became a Bishop, he worked as a curate in Stranorlar.
Serving as a Bishop
On February 12, 1982, the Holy See chose him to be the Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe. A special ceremony called an episcopal consecration took place on March 28, 1982. This happened at St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny.
Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich was the main person who consecrated him. Other important bishops, Gaetano Alibrandi and Edward Daly, also helped.
After Bishop Edward Daly retired in 1993, Dr. Hegarty was chosen for a new role. On October 1, 1994, the Holy See appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Derry. He officially started this role on November 6, 1994, at St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry.
Retirement from Service
On November 7, 2011, Bishop Hegarty shared some news. He announced that he had a health condition that was getting worse. Because of this, he said he could no longer do his job as the diocesan bishop. He had asked to retire.
The Holy See accepted his resignation on November 23, 2011. Donal McKeown became the new Bishop of Derry in 2014. Séamus Hegarty passed away on September 20, 2019.
