Fr. Sean Oxley RIP

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Fr. Sean Oxley 1942 - 2007

Sean Oxley was born in Thomastown, Killucan, Co. Westmeath on 7th August 1942. He was educated in Rathwire NS and St. Finian’s College, Mullingar before entering St. Columban’s College, Dalgan Park in September 1960. Sean was ordained on the 21st. December 1966 and assigned to Korea the following year.

After language studies he was appointed to Chun Chon diocese where Columban Tom Stewart was bishop. Sean worked in Chorwon and Unkyodong parishes and later served as pastor in Kapyong and Chongpyong. In the early eighties he was the first pastor in the newly formed parish of Seongnam Dong, Seong Nam city in the diocese of Suwon. He later succeeded the late John Quinn as pastor in Kongneong Dong in the Archdiocese of Seoul. Sean was greatly respected and appreciated by the members of these parish communities for his service, kindness, patience and especially his ability to listen and provide time for everyone.

On returning to Ireland in 1992 Sean had temporary assignments in the diocese of Meath before going to work in the parish of Loughrea, Co. Galway where he ministered until his serious illness in 2005. For the past two and a half years Sean patiently confronted the extreme difficulties of being unable to talk, walk, or eat comfortably. He bore these crosses patiently and never lost his wry sense of humour or his interest in people. Despite everything Sean maintained his great enthusiasm for all sports particularly where there was a winning post in sight. Sean passed away peacefully in the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda on Tuesday, 31 July 2007.

May he enjoy eternal rest.