Michael Kelly (missionary)

Fr. Michael J. Kelly, S.J. (born 1929) is an Irish Catholic missionary priest, active in Zambia and known for his education work around the HIV-AIDS pandemic.[1][2][3]

Professor Father

Michael J. Kelly

S.J. Ph.D. LL.D.
Born1929 (age 90–91)
Tullamore, County Offaly, Irish Free State
CitizenshipZambian
Alma materUniversity College Dublin
University of Birmingham
ReligionCatholic
Ordained1961
Websitefathermichaelkellyzambia.org

Early life

Michael J. Kelly was born in Tullamore into a family of seven, three of whom became Jesuit priests.[4]

Religious life

In 1955 Kelly was sent to Northern Rhodesia as a missionary.[5] He taught mathematics at the Canisius School. He was ordained in 1961, and later became principal of the school. Then, he received a doctorate in education from the University of Birmingham. In the mid-60s, he became a citizen of the new Republic of Zambia. Fr. Kelly then established centres for education, veterinary science and agriculture in Lusaka. He was then elected Dean of Education at the University of Zambia and, subsequently, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Education.

Fr. Kelly was intimately involved in planning for health education during the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia.[6]

Honours

In 2006 Fr. Kelly received an honorary degree Doctor of Laws from UCD. In 2012, he received an honorary degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.[7]

In 2018 Professor Kelly received the Order of Distinguished Service from President Edgar Lungu.

In 2020 he appeared on an Irish postage stamp, as part of series honouring "The Irish Abroad."[8][9][10]

See also

References
  1. "The Covid-19 Poverty Tsunami". Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland. April 24, 2020.
  2. "Tribute to Michael J. Kelly SJ". www.jesuitmissions.ie.
  3. Kelly, Michael J.; Bain, Brendan (July 18, 2005). "Education and HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean". Ian Randle Publishers – via Google Books.
  4. TEXT OF THE INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DR HUGHBRADY, President, University College Dublin on 16 June 2006, on the occasion of the conferring of the Degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on MICHAEL KELLY, SJ
  5. "Fr Michael J Kelly SJ and 60 Years in Zambia". www.jesuitmissions.ie.
  6. "Fr Michael Kelly S.J. (b. 1929) (part 1)". February 1, 2017.
  7. "Professor Michael Kelly HIV and AIDS Lecture – November 28, 2019".
  8. "An Post - The Irish Abroad 'N Rate' Strip Of Three".
  9. "Jesuit missionary features on St Patrick's Day stamps". March 11, 2020.
  10. Murphy, Gavin T. (February 26, 2020). "Michael J Kelly SJ on 'Irish Abroad' postage stamp".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.