Tributes paid to 'Biker Priest'

Fr Kearns described as “committed priest” and a “larger-than-life” character.

Tributes have been paid to the late Fr John Kearns CC, best known to many as 'The Biker Priest'- a man who provided comfort and support to the bereaved families of many who died tragically on the country's roads.

Formerly of Cromague, Corcaghan, Co. Monaghan, Dioceses of Mutare and Harare (Zimbabwe), Pettigo, Clones, Monaghan and Garrison, Fr Kearns passed away earlier this week, December 20, peacefully at his residence in Fermanagh following a long fought battle with illness.

He was laid to rest earlier today, with Funeral Mass taking place at St Michael’s Church, Corcaghan, Co. Monaghan, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Among those to pay tribute to Fr Kearns were the St. Patrick's Missionary Society of which he was part of, and the Bishop Larry Duffy and the clergy and people of Clogher Diocese.

In his Homily, Bishop Duffy said he was “with deep sorrow” he learned of the death of Fr John Kearns CC, a native of Corcaghan.

He had previously described him as “committed priest” and a “larger-than-life” character.

“The news of Fr John’s death was greeted with great sadness by family, priests friends and the community. While many knew of his health difficulties, his death came as a shock.

“John, a faithful priest has in the words of St Paul, 'Fought the good fight to the end, run the race to the finish, kept the faith and now awaits the crown of righteousness'.”

Fr John’s journey to priesthood, Bishop Duffy said was “an interesting one”.

Brought up in a house where faith was considered “important”, he entered the seminary in St Patrick’s Kiltegan in 1975, soon after Leaving Cert.

Three years later he took a break and began driving lorries at home and on the continent.

In 1979 he joined An Garda Síochána working much of his time in Hackballscross, Co Louth, and seven years after that, in 1986, rejoined the seminary and was ordained in 1990.

After ordination Fr Kearns went to Zimbabwe where he worked for more than eight years, before returning home in 1999 to serve in his native Diocese of Clogher.

The annual Mass Fr Kearns would host in Clones would often attract upwards of several hundred people.

He served in the parishes of Pettigo, Monaghan & Rackwallace, Clones, Brookeboro and, Belleek-Garrison parish in north Fermanagh where he ministered until struck by illness.

In each of five parishes he served, Bishop Duffy said Fr Kearns “was loved and appreciated. His great warmth and humanity always shone through. One person commented; 'Meeting Fr John was a joy, one never left him feeling sad'. His missionary spirit enabled him to reach people on the fringes of church life. His generous support to Bikers and Faith and Light is praised highly.”

Bishop Duffy said Fr Kearns would be “well remembered” for his “fun-loving approach and practical jokes”.

“I was blessed to serve with him in Clones for five years. A few events gave me much laughter and joy and, indeed, have remained with me. Yes, John’s way of doing things brought much laughter and joy. May the blessing he was for so many people lead him to heavenly joy.”