Orientation course for pastoral workers teaches sensitivity to local Irish context. “Society is quite sensitive to what you say. It is a big challenge and you have to be conscious not to step on the people’s toes.”

“He fulfilled everything possible that could be expected of one man or woman’s calling. A beautiful characteristic also was that, by all accounts, he was extremely modest, never seeking attention for, or boasting about, his very considerable achievements.”

His work “leaves a real, positive, and enduring legacy for millions of people across the globe” – President Higgins.

Apart from a short time in pastoral work in New York during the Nigerian Civil (Biafran) War and subsequent studies in Nova Scotia, 90-year-old Fr Paddy Foley spent almost all his 60 years of priesthood in Nigeria.

Mauritius prelate studied for the priesthood in Ireland, while the Prefect of the new Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life was born in Dublin.

Fr Enzo Agnoli moved from Italy to Ireland with his family and both he and his late brother Savino became Spiritan priests for the Irish province.