Dublin, 21 February 2017. The Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland with much regret notes the passing of the Archbishop emeritus of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, His Eminence Desmond, Cardinal Connell, aged 90.
Educated in Ireland at St. Peter’s National School, Phibsboro and Belvedere College, he was ordained priest in 1951. His Eminence was appointed Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland in 1988 and served in office until 2004. His Eminence was made a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals by Saint John Paul II in 2001.
Cardinal Connell was invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George in November 2002 as Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice at a ceremony held at Archbishop’s House in Dublin and presided over by the then Grand Prefect HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, later Duke of Castro as part of a comprehensive visit by His Royal Highness and HRH Princess Camilla to Ireland and Northern Ireland.
As Chief Chaplain of Ireland of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, Cardinal Connell has supported the Delegation for many years. He will be greatly missed and we will notify you in due course of any memorial service.