Hundreds mourn Father Shanley, Carmelite journalist and educator

Published: 2007-03-19

DARIEN, Ill. (CNS) -- Hundreds gathered in Darien to mourn Carmelite Father Kevin O'Neill Shanley, who rubbed shoulders with Princess Grace of Monaco and Irish President Mary McAleese and became one of the first Carmelite priests to earn a master's degree in journalism. Father Shanley, 75, shared his views in a variety of columns, including The Tinker's Dam, a regular feature in the Irish American News. He also founded Carmelite News Service and wrote for numerous other publications, including The Sword magazine for the Carmelites, Celtic News Service, Senior Connections and the Catholic Explorer, newspaper of the Joliet Diocese. Following his Feb. 25 death from complications caused by a massive stroke, the life of the New Jersey-born priest with dual U.S. and Irish citizenship was celebrated in grand fashion at his March 1 wake at the National Shrine of St. Therese, located alongside his residence at St. Simon Stock Priory in Darien. Father John Welch, former provincial of the Carmelites' Most Pure Heart of Mary Province, based in Darien, celebrated Father Shanley's March 2 funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Darien.

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