Bishop Michael Russell:BISHOP MICHAEL Russell was known as the "bishop on a bike". One of his first acts as the new Bishop of Waterford and Lismore in 1965 was to abandon the chauffeur-driven car in exchange for a bicycle illustrating, in one gesture, the prevailing spirit of the second Vatican Council to his people.
He was there among them. That was also his nature. He was of the people and felt blessed amongst them.
He was also the last surviving Irishman to attend Vatican II as a bishop. He did so in those weeks between his announcement as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore in November 1965 and his ordination the following month. However, there remains another among the Irish bishops who also attended the council, though then as a priest.
Cardinal Cahal Daly was an adviser at the council to the then Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Rev William Philbin, and later, as theologian, to the then Catholic primate, Cardinal William Conway.
In Waterford, Michael Russell transformed the image of “the bishop”, choosing as his motto humilitate et lenitate, humility and gentleness, which those who knew him best felt was well chosen.
He was down to earth, did not seek attention or profile, but combined a sharp intellect with the natural touch and good humour of a loving pastor. In turn he rested easy in the warm affection of his priests and people.
An unobtrusively spiritual man he could be seen, even in later years, at regular prayer, doing the holy hour or saying the rosary in St Joseph’s church near where he lived out his retirement in Waterford.
His many years as bishop, from 1965 to 1993, were dominated in those early years by implementation of the great liturgical changes which followed Vatican II, not least in the internal layout of the 85 churches in his diocese.
He also oversaw the building of many new churches in the expanding suburbs of Waterford city particularly. Also in the spirit of Vatican II, he was very committed to the active, social care of his flock, particularly where new community centres and the elderly were concerned. He was also a great supporter the credit union.
Before his appointment, when teaching at St Patrick’s seminary in Thurles, he was as popular with students as he would later be with the priests and people of Waterford and Lismore.
He wore his learning lightly and taught theology with a lucidity and clarity which would play such a fundamental role in the formation of a generation of priests now serving the church worldwide.
He had two great passions – Lourdes and the GAA, one which is not at all unusual among Irish bishops. One reflected his deep, Catholic spirituality, the other arose from his origins as a Tipperary man and hurler who had played minor for his county.
Later he served the GAA at administrative level, rising to chairmanship of the association’s board in mid-Tipperary, a role where no doubt he honed that combination of dignity and informality which was to mark his years as bishop.
It is an evolution which happens to many former GAA players, not least those who become bishops, as though to atone for more robust conduct on the field.
Dr Russell had a long life but was in decline for some time before his serene end last Monday. Those last hours were recalled by his successor Bishop William Lee in the homily on Thursday at the requiem Mass in Waterford Cathedral.
“He was weak. He knew the end was near and he was anxious for a chat. We talked at length and he spoke from the heart.”
They had “a very special, private, very beautiful conversation.”
Dr Russell was born on December 10th, 1920, at Loughmore near Thurles in Co Tipperary. He attended the Christian Brothers School in the town and studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
He was ordained on June 17th, 1945. On finishing his post-graduate studies in 1948, he was conferred with a doctorate in canon law and then appointed professor of moral theology at St Patrick’s College, Thurles.
He lectured there until 1965 and was vice-president of the college.
His appointment as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore was announced by Pope Paul VI on November 8th, 1965.
He was ordained in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford, on December 19th, 1965, and was buried in the cathedral grounds last Thursday.
Dr Russell is survived by his brothers Conor and Seán, his sisters-in-laws Madge and Maura, and his many nephews and nieces.
Bishop Michael Russell: born December 10th, 1920; died January 13th, 2009