A beloved priest who formerly ministered in Lewis has died.
Fr Thomas Kearns peacefully passed away in a hospice his native Ireland following an illness.
He died just a few days before what would have been his 84th birthday
Father Kearns was born in Newbridge, County Kildare, in June 1940, the son of the Joe and Bridie. He grew up in the town where the family ran a grocery shop.
Fr Kearns who took over as parish priest at Holy Redeemer Church in Stornoway after Fr Paul Hackett left in 2005 supervised the project to rebuilding the church building which had been destroyed in a fierce blaze a few years earlier.
The serious fire was caused by an electrical fault early one November morning in 2004. The building was thirteen years old, having replaced a smaller ‘tin’ structure which had been used for worship on the same site for decades.
Temporary premises were used worship services over the next three years.
Under Fr Kearns guardianship, a replacement church was opened in the same spot on the corner of Kenneth Street and Scotland Street in 2007.
Holy Redeemer Church said: “We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Fr Tom Kearns, another former priest of our parish who was instrumental in the rebuilding of our beautiful new church after a fire had destroyed the previous building.”
The re-construction was a “huge project he gave himself to with determination, which
was not without its challenges, but his love of Catholic beauty is his legacy to
us in it. At the same time ministering to us all pastorally and making many lasting
friendships in Stornoway and throughout the islands.”
Fr William MacLean said: “We are all very grateful for his ministry here, especially in our beautiful church that he built.”
One parishioner said: “Fr Tom led the re-building of our church in Stornoway and
was sent to us to build us up, spiritually and practically, a task he accomplished
so well and with great geniality and kindness. He was a great teacher and pastor,
and always excellent company.”
Over the years, the Lewis and Harris parish had been mainly served by the Jesuit order while Fr Kearns was a Dominican.
He entered the Dominican order, first in Ireland and later in England and Scotland.
That geographical journey saw him enter the Dominican Priory in Scotland’s capital city from 1993 until 1999.
During that period he became chaplain to Edinburgh University.
There he ended up being an enthusiastic founder member of small group to launch first Scottish Cross pilgrimage to Iona, an event which takes place annually every Easter, walking with around 15 pilgrims during Holy Week of 1997, the year being the 1400th anniversary of the death of Saint Columba.
Carrying a cross they set off from Loch Lomond, trekking over land and sea arriving in Iona to celebrate Easter Sunday.
A funeral mass for Fr Kearns was held on Tuesday. He was predeceased by his sister Mary and brother Joseph. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth.
Death of former island priest
29 June 2024