Bishop Alan Williams sm has contacted parishes to tell them of the death of Fr Kieran Dodd. He says: “Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Kieran who died at 1 pm today at St Michael’s Care Home, Clacton-on-Sea. May he rest in peace.”
Fr Andrew Headon, parish priest at Ss Peter and Paul, Ilford, shared the photo below: “It was taken last week in Lourdes at our ACROSS pilgrimage which Fr Kieran thoroughly enjoyed. Parish priest here from 1973-88, he’ll be missed by so many to whom he ministered. His funeral will be here at Ilford, details to follow.”
Father (James) Kieran was born on 3 May 1932 at Boyle, Co. Roscommon. He studied for the priesthood with the Kiltegan Fathers with the intention of becoming a missionary in Africa. However, his health was not considered strong enough for such a vocation so he transferred to St Patrick’s College, Thurles, and in 1960 was accepted by Bishop Wall for the Diocese of Brentwood.
He was ordained on 10 June 1962 (with Father John McKeon) by Archbishop Morris of Cashel & Emly at Thurles Cathedral. He was Assistant Priest at Leyton (1961-1971) and Our Lady of Grace & St Teresa of Avila, Chingford (1971-1973) Parish Priest at SS Peter & Paul, Ilford (1973-1988); Grays (1988-1990) and Becontree (1990-2003). He retired and was in residence at Wanstead (2003-2018). He was appointed as Chaplain to the Little Company of Mary, Westcliff-on-Sea in 2018 and later moved to St Michael’s Care Home, Clacton-on-Sea.