Golden Jubilee of Bishop Tim Carroll SMA and Fr. Dan Cashman SMA

A special Mass of Thanksgiving was concelebrated in St. Patrick's Church, Millstreet at 2pm on Saturday, 12th Dec. 2015 marking the Golden Jubilee to the Priesthood of Bishop Tim Carroll and Fr. Dan Cashman who left Millstreet on the very same day in 1958 to join the SMA Order of Missionary Priests. Both were ordained in 1965 and spend most of their priestly ministery working in Africa. This evening Family, Friends and Neighbours assembled for the very special Golden Jubilee occasion. Click on the images to enlarge. (S.R.)
A special Mass of Thanksgiving was concelebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet at 2pm on Saturday, 12th Dec. 2015 marking the Golden Jubilee to the Priesthood of Bishop Tim Carroll and Fr. Dan Cashman who left Millstreet on the very same day in 1958 to join the SMA Order of Missionary Priests. Both were ordained in 1965 and spend most of their priestly ministery working in Africa. This evening Family, Friends and Neighbours assembled for the very special Golden Jubilee occasion. Click on the images to enlarge. (S.R.)
From left: Canon John Fitzgerald, P.P., Fr. Seán Tucker, Bishop Tim Carroll, SMA, Fr. Dan Cashman, SMA and Fr. Paddy O'Byrne.
From left: Canon John Fitzgerald, P.P., Fr. Seán Tucker, Bishop Tim Carroll, SMA, Fr. Dan Cashman, SMA and Fr. Paddy O’Byrne.
The magnificent Golden Jubilee Cake baked and decorated by Mary - Bishop Tim's sister.
Photographed at a most enjoyable reception in the Wallis Arms Hotel following Mass – the magnificent Golden Jubilee Cake baked and decorated by Mary – Bishop Tim’s sister.  We extend heartfelt congratulations to both Bishop Tim and Fr. Dan on such an historic and very special occasion.

============================
The Society of African Missions (SMA) wrote this on their website sma.ie on the occasion of Bishop Tim’s Golden Jubilee

… this leads in nicely to say something about Bishop Tim Carroll as we mark the golden jubilee anniversary of his priesthood.Bishop Tim, a native of Millstreet, was ordained an SMA Priest on 20th December 1965 along with 16 classmates. One was them was also to become a bishop – the late Bishop John Moore of Bauchi Diocese, Nigeria.

Br Tom Fitzgerald & Bp Tim CarrollIn October 1966, he set sail for West Africa and was appointed to the Ibadan Region of Nigeria. After his Tyro at Challenge, Ibadan under the guidance of the late Fr Bart McCarthy, Tim was appointed to the then Prefecture of Ilorin. Ilorin was raised to a Diocese in 1969 with Bishop Willie Mahony as its first bishop.

Bishop Tim is pictured with the oldest member of the Irish Province, Brother Tom Fitzgerald, who spent many years on mission in western Nigeria.

Tim was posted to Oro parish and then later to Lafiagi under Bacita Parish where he was involved in teaching and parish ministry.In both places Tim immersed himself into the learning of the local language and was able to speak Yoruba and Nupewith ease. From 1979 to 1996, Tim was posted at Agwara Parish in North Borgu – still under Ilorin Diocese. And it was in this area that Tim’s passion about learning, speaking and preserving the native languages came to the fore. Tim is a gifted Linguist. Not only did he learn Hausa – the predominant language among Northern Nigeria but Tim set himself at learning the language of the dominant tribe in the area – the Kamberis – or correctly known as the Cishinginis. Tim learnt to speak Kamberi and then when on to translate the gospels and other religious texts into Kamberi and also produced basic literacy books in that language. And Tim didn’t stop there – he also did similar translation works in the Lelna Language (Dakakari) and the Dukawa language.

In December 1995, Holy Mother Church, in her wisdom decided that this area of North Borgu and across the river towards Yauri, Kontagora and Zuru should be carved out and become a new jurisdiction. Tim was chosen as its first Prefect Apostolic. This was a huge upheaval for Tim –and I am sure the words of Mary echoed in his heart – “let what you have said be done” and again “not my will but yours”. Tim now had to leave Agwara Parish and take up residence in Kontagora which became the headquarters of this new jurisdiction. But it was also an exciting time and there was lots of energy and enthusiasm -it was like a new beginning as new structures needed to be put in place for the future for what one day will become a diocese. Up to now, this area was on the margins of three existing dioceses – of Ilorin, Sokoto and Minna. Now it would get the attention it deserved.It’s interesting to note, that staring off, Tim had just 9 priests to help him cover this new but huge area which was just over half the size of Ireland – 4 SMA’s, 3 Kiltegans and 2 Diocesan Priests who joined us from Minna Diocese. Kontagora Prefecture consisted of just 7 parishes.

So, with the support of the SMA’s, Kiltegans and the two diocesan priests, Tim’s vision of a self-sufficientand a self-reliant church was put into action. New parishes were opened, new schools, new convents, catechist training centre, primary evangelisation at the coalface, new outstations, students for the seminary and new local priests. Development and progress was evident. By 2002, Rome raised the Prefecture to the status of a Vicariate and Tim was chosen as Bishop – the Vicar Apostolic.

In 1996, as the Prefecture of Kontagora was being set up, Tim had asked me to be his secretary and chancellor of the Prefecture. I accepted and for the next ten years, I worked alongside Tim in laying the foundations and building up this new jurisdiction – a time and a work I enjoyed and I thank Tim for that opportunity.

In I990, I had the privilege of being present at the occasion of Tim’s Silver Jubilee celebration in Agwara Parish. It’s very interesting that a young seminarian present at that celebration is now Tim’s successor as Bishop of Kontagora in the person of Bishop Bulus Yohanna. Today there are 17 parishes, 26 priests;only two are Irish SMA’s and a host of religious sisters, catechists, schools, health clinics and hundreds of outstations. The gospel seed has surely grown and produced – all within a space of under 20 years.

Tim continued in the role as Bishop of Kontagora till 2010 when ill health forced him to step down. Back in Cork – and not ready to retire, Tim generously accepted the appointment of being Provincial Secretary – a position he held till the end of last year.Tim has a great knowledge of the scriptures and this is evident in his homilies which are always down to earth and “grounded” and I know we look forward to his homilies here in the oratory. Tim is also a great lover of poetry and astronomy.

On left we have Bishop Tim and a classmate, Fr Denis O’Sullivan SMA.

– A Jubilee always calls for a celebration – which we’re doing today. – A Jubilee calls us to look back over what has been – all that has happened.

– A Jubilee calls us to learn from the past and move on.-A Jubilee calls us to look to the future with a renewed vision.

Tim, as you reflect and ponder over the past, may you now look to the future with renewed vision. We wish you every blessing in your retirement as we thank God with you for the past 50 years of sowing the seed and labouring in the Lord’s vineyard.

Ad Multos Annos.

 

11 thoughts on “Golden Jubilee of Bishop Tim Carroll SMA and Fr. Dan Cashman SMA”

  1. Congratulations to my classmates Bishop Tim and Fr. Dan. Best wishes to my friend Fr. Paddy. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and long retirement.
    God Bless you.

  2. So pleased to read of Father Dan Cashmans Golden Jubilee in the Millstreet News. He spent many summers here with us at St Osmunds in Barnes We all wish him the very best for the future. Denis O’Sullivan Cullen Barnes London SW

  3. Congratulations Father. You moulded and shaped my life to be who I am today . am forever grateful. Your 1981/82 set head girl . ovu grammer sch ovu. Nigeria.

  4. Congratulations to my amiable Fr. Dan Cashman on your 51st anniversary. You were a leading light in your missionary work in Nigeria.Indeed your leadership quality in school administration is second to none particularly your pioneering role in Ovu Grammar School, Ovu near Warri.i am so pleased to have been nurtured by you.Wishing you the very best in God service. Samuel Orovwuje ( Lagos, Nigeria)

  5. Congrats to Fr. Dan Cashman, on this occasion of your priestly anniversary, I pray that God grant you good health and long life. Am Patrick Orhoro, your alter boy and student at Ovu grammar school in Delta State of Nigeria

  6. Congratulations Fr. Cashman. Thanks for the period you spent with us in our formative years in Ovu and introducing some of us into the faith. May God God continue to grant you sound health of mind and body, Amen

    Andy Erhabor KSM

  7. Congratulations Fr Cashman. Thank you for those great formative years – opened our horizons. May God strengthen you with many more years of service, grace and good health.

  8. Thank you Father Cashman for being so kind to me and your good administrative work at St. Peter Clavers College Aghalokpe. Your contribution to my success in life is unmeasurable. You touched a lot of souls positively. God will continue to bless you

  9. This is to acknowledge the great impression Fr Cashman left on my life and career in my formative years at St Peter Clavers College, Aghalokpe. Wishing you the very best always.

    Osifo Segun Akpata

  10. I am grateful to God to have been raised by Rev Fr D Cashmam, your impute in my has actually made me who I am today, I am blessed to have you teach me ways to life with your discipline. Congratulations sir on your Golden Jubilee. Please is it possible to get in touch with Fr D Cashman? I was his student in Ovu grammar school Ovu inland Nigeria. My contact is 07808151732 London. Thank you.

  11. Congratulations to our very own Very Rev Fr Cashman. Thanks for making me who l am today. Thanks for the love and discipline too. Above all introducing me to Catholicism. God bless you.
    Winifred Odiete. Ovu Grammar School.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.