Fr Michael Kevin O’Boyle
(1935 – 2026)
Michael Kevin O’Boyle was born in Quilty, Co Clare on 20 May 1935. He was educated at Quilty NS and at St Flannan’s College, Ennis, Co. Clare. He entered Dalgan in September 1953 was ordained priest on 21 December 1959.
He was assigned to Chile and, after language studies served his first term in San Luis Parish in Santiago. He opted for leave of absence for two years in 1968 before returning to ministry in the Columban Parish at Westminister CA in 1971.
In 1972 Kevin returned to Santiago, Chile and became deeply involved in Charismatic Renewal Groups over the following six years. He was particularly successful in empowering local communities among the poor and marginated to take leadership and responsibility. He founded the Basic Ecclesial Community called Dios Con Nosotros (God With Us) in the Población Manuel Rodriguez, which is still thriving.
In 1978 he was assigned to the Irish Region initially for Mission Promotion and later for Formation of Columban students in Dalgan, and from 1980 to 1982 in Maynooth. In 1983 he was reappointed to Chile and in the following years he set up the first Chilean Formation Programme for Columban seminarians and was responsible for building the formation house at Conchali, Santiago. He served in this ministry and as the first Rector from 1987 to 1995.
He spent a sabbatical year at the School of Applied Theology, Oakland, CA, and was reassigned to the Region of Ireland in 1996 where he was engaged in mission awareness and promotion. Since that time Kevin has been involved in a variety of ministries around Ireland, giving retreats and spiritual accompaniment, and generously serving in parishes where needed until his health began to deteriorate in recent months.
Kevin will be best remembered for his gentleness, enthusiasm, and his ability to make friends. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, he experienced several remarkable periods of remission with his customary optimism. He died peacefully in St: Columban’s Retirement Home on 6th February 2026. May he rest in peace.