Fr Michael Donohue [1920 - 2008]

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Fr Michael Donohue RIP

Fr Michael Donohue died suddenly in Tallaght Hospital on 18 October 2008. Born on 21 September 1920 in Woodville, Kilchreest, Co. Galway, he was educated at Kilchreest NS and St Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe. He came to Dalgan Park, Shrule, Co. Galway in 1939 and was ordained in Dalgan Park, Navan on 21 December 1945.

After ordination he was assigned to China and worked in Yoba, Hanyang in 1947-’48 before being sent to the Philippines and to Mindanao, where he began a ministry that lasted over 50 years. He was pastor in Tangub and later in Molave. He became Columban superior in Mindanao in 1956. In 1959 he was appointed Director of the Philippine Region. He had an exciting start to his new job and many more exciting moments during his two terms of office. A US Newsletter from December 1959 had this story: “Fr Michael Donohue with Fr Gus Rowe took a boat to go to the isolated parish of Hinoba-an. The boat broke down well out at sea and they spent the night drifting around. Finally, they were picked up but they had a good walk to Hinoba-an.”

He had better luck as he steered a way through the storms of the post-Vatican!! period and was a compassionate and caring presence for many of his confreres in a difficult time. Returning to Mindanao when his period of office was over, he took on the difficult assignment of Marawi, and then went to Mahinog and Linamon before taking charge of Corpus Christi parish in Iligan City. When he came to leave the Philippines in 1999 he was greatly missed for his human kindness and common touch. He had earned the title of being “a character”. What is more, he knew it and gloried in it. Not that he told jokes or tried to be funny, but much of what happened to him never failed to raise a smile. His natural curiosity and colourful language were legendary. He hated not being up to date with Columban news. He could be direct in speech to a degree that made those of a more pious disposition run for cover. Yet, he leaves us with nothing but the fondest memories of a man whose time and attitudes are fast disappearing. He really did spend his life in the service of others. He will be sadly missed, but the stories associated with him will reverberate for many more years to come.

May he rest in Peace.