Fr John Silke, R.I.P.
Posted on 21. Jan, 2016 in Carousel
The death occurred on 13th January 2016 of Dean John J. Silke, Raphoe Diocese, formerly archivist of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome. The community of the Irish College sympathises with his family and the Bishop, priests and faithful of the Diocese of Raphoe.
He was born on 7th May 1926 in Creeslough, Co Donegal and ordained Priest on 22nd June 1956 in Maynooth by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. He received his primary education in Drimnaraw & Massinass National School, Creeslough. He went to St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny for his secondary education and to St Patrick’s College, Maynooth from where has was ordained to the Priesthood. He was Chaplain to Sacred Heart Convent, Leeson St., Dublin from 1952-1955 whe is studied at the History School in University College Dublin. From 1956-1957 he had a research Scholarship at Salamanca, Spain. From 1958-1959 he studies for the Higher Diploma in Education in Maynooth. From 1955-1966 he was on the teaching staff of St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny. From 1966-1973 he taught and studies at Harriman College, New York and Manhattan College. He was Archivist at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome from 1973-1980. From 1980 – 1981 he was a research fellow in Queens University, Belfast. In 1982 he was appointment Administrator of Glenswilly Parish and in 1983 he was appointed the first Parish Priest of Glenswilly where he reaimed until retiring as Parish Priest in 1992. He was appointed Diocesan Archivist by Bishop Mac Feeley, a position he held until the time of his death. Fr Silke was appointed a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in July 2006 and then Dean of the Cathedral Chapter in August 2009.
Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas síoraí dó.