Lusaka, Zambia - Friday, 15th January 2021

Renowned Zambian Jesuit priest of Irish origin, Fr. Michael Kelly (92) has passed on.

This was announced by Fr Leonard Chiti.

"Eternal Rest grant unto Michael and may perpetual light shine upon him."

Fr Leonard Chiti is the First Provincial for the Jesuits of the Province comprising Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Professor Father Michael J Kelly SJ. was born in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland, in 1929.

He studied at University College Dublin and was awarded a B.A. in Maths and Mathematical Physics in 1952, both with first class honours.

He went on to receive a licentiate in philosophy in 1955.

He moved to Zambia and has lived and worked here for over 50 years, becoming a Zambian citizen.

He worked for many years as headmaster of Canisius Secondary School as one of the earliest centres of learning in Zambia.

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