Lavish tributes from Church, State, and Community Leaders were paid this week to the retired Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Michael Russell, a native of County Tipperary who passed to his eternal reward on Monday last.
Eighty three year old Dr Russell was Bishop of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore from 1965 to 1993, and was succeeded on his retirement as prelate by fellow Tipperaryman Most Rev William Lee.
Bishop Russell was born on December 10th 1920 in Loughmore, and resided for many years in Holycross. After completing his secondary education in Thurles CBS he studied for the Priesthood in St Patricks College in Maynooth, and was ordained on June 17th 1945. He completed post-graduate studies in 1948, when he was conferred with a Doctorate in Canon Law. He subsequently took up the high-ranking post of Professor of Moral Theology in St Patricks College, Thurles, and lectured there until 1965. He served as Vice President of the College for a number of years. There was great rejoicing in Church circles, and indeed among his family and many friends in County Tipperary and much further afield when his appointment as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore was announced by Pope Paul V1 on November 8th 1965. He was ordained in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford on December 19th 1965. Bishop Michael retired as Bishop of the Diocese on May 27th 1993.
While he served the diocese as its much-loved Catholic Church leader for twenty eight years, Bishop Michael never lost touch with his native County. He loved his native area with a passion, took immense pride in his roots, and enjoyed the loyal friendship of many of his former school pals, colleagues in the Priesthood, neighbours, and countless members of the community, up to the time of his sad passing. His love for rural Ireland, and in particular for the Gaelic Athletic Association was deep-rooted. His passion was hurling and he took great pride in the exploits of his many great friends at club and county level in his native Mid Tipperary. He served as Chairperson of the Mid Tipperary GAA Board from 1956 to 1961 during his term in St Patricks College, and down through the years he never failed to follow the fortunes of Tipperary and Waterford on the hurling fields. Despite his huge commitments as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, he always took time to return to his native county to attend community functions, and meet his many friends.
Among those to pay glowing tributes to the late Bishop Russell this week were his successor in the diocese of Waterford and Lismore Dr William Lee.
Bishop Lee stated- I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Bishop Michael Russell, my predecessor as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore and great friend. Since becoming Bishop of this diocese in July 1993 I have enjoyed and greatly valued his wisdom and support. Bishop Michael was loved and admired by the people and priests of Waterford and Lismore. He will be greatly missed by all. Bishop Michael will be remembered especially for his great love of the Church, his deep faith, his prayerfulness, his devotion to Our Lady, his humility, warmth and approachability. Bishop Russell is survived by his brothers Conor and Sean and by his sisters-in-laws, Madge and Maura, his many nephews and nieces. I extend my sincere sympathy to his brothers, his sisters-in-law, his nieces, nephews, his family and friends.
A large and representative attendance that included Church and State leaders attended the removal of Bishop Russell’s remains to the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford on Tuesday evening. His remains were received by Most Rev William Lee, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Bishop Russell’s remains reposed at the Cathedral on Wednesday from 9am to 9pm. Bishop Lee will be chief celebrant at a concelebrated Requiem Mass in the Cathedral at 12 noon, today, Thursday, and interment will follow in the Cathedral grounds.