Canon Kevin Kenny RIP
Friday 15th September 2023We are sorry to share the sad news that Canon Kevin Kenny died peacefully on Friday 15th September.
Canon Kenny was in his eighty sixth year, the fifty ninth year of his Sacred Priesthood.
John Kevin Kenny was born on 22nd September 1937 in Great Lever, Bolton and was baptised at St. William’s church in Bolton on 10th October 1937. He attended St. William’s Junior School, St. Peter & Paul’s High School and Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton
Kevin was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford in August 1959 and studied at St. Joseph’s College, Upholland.
Fr Kevin Kenny was ordained to the Priesthood at St. William’s, Great Lever on 12th June 1965.
Fr Kenny served the Diocese of Salford in the following appointments:
1965-1967: St. Joseph, Accrington as Assistant Priest
1967-1972: St. Augustine, Manchester as Assistant Priest
1969-1972: Diocesan Director of Vocations
1972-1977: Assistant Secretary, Wardley Hall; Secretary, Ecclesiastical Education Council and Chief R.E. Inspector of Schools
1977-1983: Pastoral Director at Ushaw College
1983- : St. Mary and St. John, Pleasington as Parish Priest
In 1988, Fr Kenny was made a Canon of the Holy Sepulchre by the Patriarch of Jerusalem due to his long service as Prior of the English Northern Province of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and for his many years of service to the Holy Land.
In 2007, he was made an Honorary Ecumenical Canon of Blackburn Cathedral because of his involvement in the ecumenical life of Blackburn where he was Catholic Dean for many years.
Canon Kenny retired in July 2018 and resided at the Priory Cottage, often assisting in the parish.
Canon Kenny’s body will be received into Pleasington Priory, Blackburn for concelebrated Mass at 7.00pm on Thursday 19th October. Bishop John will celebrate the Requiem Mass at Pleasington Priory on Friday 20th October at 12:00 noon followed by cremation at Pleasington Crematorium. If you wish to concelebrate at either Mass, please bring with you an alb and white stole. The white Diocesan vestments will be provided, but in case of larger numbers, there may not be sufficient for all clergy.
Please remember Canon Kenny in your prayers and in the celebration of Mass. May he rest in peace.
Tagged | Diocese
