Bishop Smith’s role as pastor recalled on diamond jubilee

Bishop Emeritus Michael Smith's role as a caring and careful pastor to the Diocese of Meath was last month remembered in Mullingar Cathedral on the sixtieth anniversary of the Oldcastle native's ordination to the priesthood.

Fr Phil Gaffney, Adm, Mullingar, leading the celebration of Mass to mark the jubilee, said Bishop Smith devoted his whole life to the pastoral care of the diocese of Meath, a responsibility which began when he served first as secretary to his predecessor and a task to which he gave 100 per cent.

"We have seen it here at first hand in our own parish," he added. "From his first days as a young priest chaplain in St Loman’s, his priesthood has always been one of tireless dedication to the service of people in his care. At virtually every Confirmation ceremony, he referred to the innate God-given dignity of every human person. Understanding that human dignity is at the heart of every pastoral deed. And at these same Confirmations, he urged parents to walk with their children and never give up on them. “Walk with them” he’d say as each Confirmation drew to a close."

Bishop Smith has been loyal and unswerving in holding on to the doctrine of the faith and in handing on the Church’s teaching through successive generations, Fr Gaffney stated.

He continued and built on the good work begun by his predecessor Bishop McCormack in promoting the catechesis of the children through the schools in the diocese "and it is thanks in no small part to him that we are fortunate to have an invaluable network of Catholic primary and post primary schools in the diocese".

"Likewise, as teacher and prophet, he has drawn always on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council as the authentic understanding of the faith and, in this regard, his recent publication being a timely and fitting contribution to this work. One can only believe in Providence than it is no mere coincidence that precisely seven months after the bishop’s ordination to the priesthood 60 years ago Pope Saint John XXIII solemnly opened the first session of the Second Vatican Council and Bishop Smith was there at every moment as the Council took place in Rome."

In his episcopal role as priest, Bishop Smith's role in safeguarding the Sacraments and in the orderly celebration of the liturgy was recognised.

"Bishop Smith will be shy about us recognising this but he is a man of deep, personal prayer and it radiates and shines through every time he celebrates the Mass whether here in the cathedral or in the smallest country church or convent chapel,” Fr Gaffney stated.

“His fruitful efforts to promote vocations and his promotion of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration testify to his understanding of the centrality of the priesthood and the fundamental call of every baptised person to answer that call and to grow in holiness."

A native of Oldcastle, Bishop Smith studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, during which time he acted as a secretary at the Second Vatican Council. He was ordained in 1963, and served in Clonmellon parish, St Loman’s Hospital, and was appointed secretary to Bishop John McCormack. Later he worked for the Irish Bishops Conference and had a central role in organising Pope John Paul’s visit to Ireland in 1979. At the age of 43, he was one of the youngest members of the Irish hierarchy when he was ordained a Bishop at Mullingar Cathedral on 29th January 1984, to act as an auxillary bishop to Dr McCormack. In October 1988, he was appointed coadjutor bishop with the right of succession. On 16 May 1990, he succeeded John McCormack on the latter’s retirement, and retired in June 2018.

Last year, he published a book on his experiences as a young student at the Second Vativan Council, entitled ‘Vatican Council Memories’.