Statement by Bishop Denis Nulty on the death of Bishop Willie Walsh RIP

21 Feb 2025

Bishop Willie Walsh, Bishop Emeritus of Killaloe (Catholic Communications Office archive)

Like so many, I was very saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Bishop Willie Walsh.  Bishop Willie was President of Accord from 1999 to 2009.  He was associated with Accord since a centre was established in Ennis in 1969.  He credited Accord’s members with teaching him “so much about such precious human values as self-acceptance, empathy, generous sharing, mutual support, affection and love”.

His kindly demeanour, pastoral approach and personal warmth endeared him to all of us in Accord.  The phrase Pope Francis so often uses around sacramental marriage, ‘accompaniment’, was very much part of Bishop Willie’s philosophy in life.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

ENDS

  • Bishop Denis Nulty is Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin and President of Accord CLG