Bishop leads tributes after death of Fr Oscar O’Leary 

Bishop Fintan Gavin paid tribute to the late priest who had ministered to Cork’s Traveller community for more than three decades

The late Fr Oscar O'Leary OFM pictured in Macroom in 2003. Poignantly, Fr Oscar died just a week after the Cork and Ross diocese marked the 60th anniversary of his ordination. File picture: Des Barry

The Bishop of Cork and Ross has led tributes following the death of a popular priest who ministered to Cork’s Traveller community for more than three decades.

Bishop Fintan Gavin described Fr Oscar O’Leary, who died on Sunday at the Franciscan Friary in Cork city, as a man of great compassion.

Poignantly, Fr Oscar died just a week after the diocese marked the 60th anniversary of his ordination.

“I am grateful to have come to know Fr Oscar over these last six years,” Bishop Gavin said.

I have always been struck by his compassion and care of people.

“He imbued the compassion and mercy of Christ to all, especially the most vulnerable.

“The Traveller community found a real companion and friend in him as he journeyed with them in good times and challenging times bringing them the comfort and support of Christ. May he rest in peace.” 

Fr Oscar O'Leary who died on Sunday, pictured a week ago (front, left) at a lunch hosted by Bishop Fintan Gavin to mark the jubilees of priests who minister in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. The group included Bishop Emeritus John Buckley (front, right).   

Fr Oscar, a Franciscan, was among a group of priests who attended a lunch last week, hosted by Bishop Gavin, to mark various jubilees of ordination to the priesthood by priests who minister in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

He was honoured for his silver jubilee, alongside Emeritus Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop John Buckley, who was ordained a priest in 1965.

Among Fr Oscar’s long years of ministry were many years spent devoted to the pastoral care and support of the Traveller community in Cork.

He celebrated many Traveller weddings, christenings, and funerals, and he worked behind the scenes to try to resolve disputes and feuds which flared up from time to time.

He was also the principal celebrant of the funeral Mass for murdered two-year-old Santina Cawley in July 2019.

“It is not the length of the life lived by someone, but what that person brings in to our lives when they are here,” he told mourners.