Statement on the passing of Fr. Alfred J Deignan
Press release
11 December 2018The death has occurred of Fr Alfred J Deignan SJ, originally from Mullagh, Co Cavan, who passed away earlier today in Hong Kong aged 91.
Responding to the news, Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciarán Cannon, TD, said,
“I have learned with sadness of the death of Fr Alfred Deignan. Since his arrival in Hong Kong 65 years ago, Fr Deignan dedicated his life to education and was loved and respected by generations of his pupils. He also played a leading role in tackling the impact of AIDS in Hong Kong. His life is a testament to the untiring and selfless work of Irish missionaries in Hong Kong - and more widely around the world - in the fields of education, health and welfare. I would like to convey my deepest condolences to his family, friends and to all his past pupils who mourn his loss. Ní fheicfimid a leithéid ann arís.”
Note for Editors
Fr. Deignan was born on 25 March 1927 in Mullagh, Co Cavan and came from a family of 13. Having completed his Jesuit formation in Ireland, Fr Deignan first came to Hong Kong in 1953. He served as principal at Wah Yan College and co-founded the Hong Kong International Institute of Educational Leadership (HKIIEL) in 1997. In recognition of his contribution to education in Hong Kong he received honorary doctorates from The University of Hong Kong (2003), The Hong Kong Institute of Education (2008) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2012).
Father Deignan was also a member of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on Aids, member and Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Aids Foundation, Member of the Council of the Aids Trust Fund, and Chairman, Expert Panel for HIV Infected Health Care Workers. In 1993, he received the Governor's Commendation for Community Service Award in recognition of his contribution.
ENDs
Press Office
11 December 2018
The death has occurred of Fr Alfred J Diegnan SJ, originally from Mullagh, Co Cavan, who passed away earlier today in Hong Kong aged 91.
Responding to the news, Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciarán Cannon, TD, said,
“I have learned with sadness of the death of Fr Alfred Deignan. Since his arrival in Hong Kong 65 years ago, Fr Deignan dedicated his life to education and was loved and respected by generations of his pupils. He also played a leading role in tackling the impact of AIDS is Hong Kong. His life is a testament to the untiring and selfless work of Irish missionaries in Hong Kong - and more widely around the world - in the fields of education, health and welfare. I would like to convey my deepest condolences to his family, friends and to all his past pupils who mourn his loss. Ní fheicfimid a leithéid ann arís.”
Note for Editors
Fr. Deignan was born on 25 March 1927 in Mullagh, Co Cavan and came from a family of 13. Having completed his Jesuit formation in Ireland, Fr Deignan first came to Hong Kong in 1953. He served as principal at Wah Yan College and co-founded the Hong Kong International Institute of Educational Leadership (HKIIEL) in 1997. In recognition of his contribution to education in Hong Kong he received honorary doctorates from The University of Hong Kong (2003), The Hong Kong Institute of Education (2008) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2012).
Father Deignan was also a member of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on Aids, member and Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Aids Foundation, Member of the Council of the Aids Trust Fund, and Chairman, Expert Panel for HIV Infected Health Care Workers. In 1993, he received the Governor's Commendation for Community Service Award in recognition of his contribution.
ENDs
Press Office
11 December 2018
