RIP
Fr Joseph Keaney SJ
22 December 1948 – 20 July 2021
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) mourns the loss of Fr Joseph Keaney SJ.
After a long battle with serious illness he passed away peacefully this afternoon, Tuesday 20 July 2021, at St Ignatius Jesuit Community in Lusaka. Fr Keaney will be remembered for his pastoral care and missionary zeal. He was a friend to many and will be fondly remembered.
We commend Fr Keaney to the Lord, knowing that he is now at peace and has no more pain.
The Funeral will take place at 09h00 on Saturday, 24 July 2021, at the St Ignatius Parish in Lusaka, Zambia. There will be a Vigil Mass in the evening of Friday 23 July 2021 at 19h00.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at both the Vigil Mass and Requiem Mass is by invitation only.
Please note that the Vigil Mass and Requiem Mass will be live-streamed by Loyola Television on YouTube, and available at the bottom of this page.
Fr Gilbert Banda SJ
Superior: St Ignatius Jesuit Community, Lusaka
Vigil Mass Friday, 23rd July 2021 at 19h00
Requiem Mass Saturday, 24th July 2021 at 09h00
I knew Fr Joe as a child when we lived in Kitwe. He was an exceptional human being, and I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
RIP Father Joe,
Elaine Phelan
xx
I first met Joe in September 1973 when he met me from Lusaka Airport and looked after me for several days before driving us down to Chikuni, before I began my time as Sports Master at Canisius Secondary School.
We used to play squash together at Charles Lwanga.
After I had returned to England, Joe came to visit me and my new wife Helen in our new house and celebrated Mass on our kitchen table.
We kept in touch and always sent each other newsy Christmas cards.
It seemed only recently that the cards had stopped coming and we then found out that Joe was not well.
I’ll always remember him as Brother Joe with the beard and long bushy hair wearing shorts.
When I listened to him speak from a recent interview he sounded just the same.
What a lovely person and I am so pleased that he touched the hearts of so many.
Simon
May he rest in peace.
Simon