ProLife.ie - We are an education and awareness organisation committed to the promotion of the culture of life.

 
An outstanding defender of the unborn among Ireland’s bishops has died. Bishop Thomas Finnegan, the retired bishop of Killala, died on Christmas Day at the age of 86. He led the diocese of Killala from 1987 to 2002. During that time he established the Newman Institute in Ballina, County Mayo, offering courses in the theology of marriage and family.
 
In May 2001 he issued a pastoral letter calling for a referendum to restore constitutional protection to the unborn. In it, he described abortion as “the fundamental human rights issue of today”. “It is not just a private issue”, he explained. “It is an issue which touches on whether we see the unborn child as deserving of inclusion and protection in the human community; but equally importantly, it is about what kind of care we want to provide for mothers in difficult circumstances. It challenges all of us to build the kind of society where no woman feels that her only or best choice is to end the life of her child. We need to ensure that those who feel that abortion is the only way out of a difficult situation are offered a truly life-giving choice.”
 
Thomas Anthony Finnegan was born on 26 August 1925, in Castlerea, County Roscommon. He was ordained a priest at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, in 1951. After four years postgraduate studies in Education and Canon Law he taught briefly in Catholic University School, Dublin and in Summerhill College, Sligo. He was Elphin Diocesan Secretary for three years and then returned to Maynooth as Junior Dean from 1960 until 1966. He was President of Summerhill College from 1966 to 1979. He was Chairman of the Catholic Headmasters Association in the 1970s and was regarded as one of the leading educationalists in Ireland.
 
Bishop Finnegan was laid to rest in the grounds of Saint Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Family & Life was honoured to count him among its supporters for many years. His vision, wisdom and courage will be greatly missed.