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News
Service of Thanksgiving held for Canon Edwy Kille who served as border rector for over 30 years
A Service of Thanksgiving has been held in Killeevan Parish Church, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan on Wednesday, 22 October for the life of Canon Edwy Kille, who died in hospital in Belfast on 17 October. He had served as a parish rector in Clogher Diocese for more than three decades.
The Service was conducted by Revd Clive Atkinson, Rector of Willowfield Parish, Belfast assisted by Revd Colin Birnie, OLM.The prayers were led by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis.
The Eulogy was delivered by one of Canon Kille’s two sons, Jonathan, who spoke of his father’s ministry especially those difficult years during the Troubles in the cross-border parishes of Aghadrumsee, Clogh and Drumsnatt as well as memories from family life.
Canon Kille had served as Rector of Aghadrumsee, Clogh and Drumsnatt in Clogher Diocese for 31 years from 1974 until 2005 when he retired.
Jonathan said; “Over three extremely difficult decades in this border area not once did he shy away from speaking out, speaking the truth against evil which I realise now he did with quiet strength, unwavering devotion and deep understanding. I believe he was quite simply the right man in the right place at the right time.”
Born in 1930 in West Somerset, Canon Kille worked briefly as an electrical engineer with the RAF before working as a trainee surveyor which took him to Northern Ireland.
Then following his theological training in Bristol in the 1960’s, he moved to Dublin to work for the Irish Church Missions.
He was ordained a Deacon in 1962 and a Priest in 1963 and in 1966 was appointed Rector of Rathbarren and Ballymote in Co Sligo where he remained for the next eight years.
He came to Clogher Diocese in 1974 to the Aghadrumsee, Clogh and Drumsnatt group of parishes.
He was appointed a Canon of Clogher Cathedral.
During his church career, he wrote several publications. Even in retirement Canon Kille worked for the Willowfield Parish community.
At the Service, Bishop Ian Ellis said it was a privilege to hear the words of tribute from Canon Kille’s son, John and how his ministry had impacted on the lives of parishioners, his family and in his work on retirement.
Bishop Ellis conveyed the sympathy of Clogher Diocese to the family circle and said his former parishioners and many others had deeply appreciated his work over so many years and especially during a murderous campaign during which Canon Kille gave continued pastoral ministry.
“He understood his people, he cared for them and he stood by them at the worst of times and at the best of times,” said Bishop Ellis.
“He has never been forgotten in Fermanagh and Monaghan.”
A number of Canon Kille’s former parishioners in Fermanagh and Monaghan attended the Service of Thanksgiving.
The hymns were; “Abide with me,” and “Shall we gather at the river.”
The burial took place in the adjoining graveyard.
Canon Kille is survived by two sons; Peter and Jonathan, a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wives, Sally and Angela.