Bishop William Lee Class of 1959 RIP

Bishop William Lee (Class of 1959)Bishop Emeritus of Waterford and Lismore died on Friday morning, 5 January. He was 82 years old. After announcing the news, Bishop Lee's successor Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, said: "Bishop Lee dedicated his life to serving the Catholic Church and the people of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore with firm commitment and passion. As we mourn his loss, we ask for your prayers for the repose of his soul."

Bishop Lee was born in Newport, Co Tipperary, on December 2, 1941. He received his early education at the Convent of Mercy National school, the Boy's National school, Newport and later at Rockwell College, Cashel. He studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth and was ordained in 1966.

After ordination he studied Canon Law at Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, and was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1969. Later that year, he was appointed curate in the parish of Finglas West in the Archdiocese of Dublin where he ministered for two years. On his return from Dublin, he studied Canon Law for a short period at the Gregorian University, Rome.

Bishop Lee was then appointed Bursar and Professor of Philosophy at Saint Patrick's College, Thurles. While there he served on the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal, was Chairperson of the Diocesan Catholic Marriage Advisory Council and was a member of the first National Executive of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council in Ireland. He was appointed President of Saint Patrick's College, Thurles, in 1987, and was ordained Bishop of Waterford and Lismore on 25 July, 1993.

He served on the Commission for Clergy, Seminaries and Vocations and the Commission for the Laity of the Episcopal Conference and was also President of Accord.

Bishop Lee retired as Bishop of Waterford & Lismore on 1 October, 2013.

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office