Important moments in the journey of life of Bishop Hugh Slattery MSC

The late Bishop Emeritus of Tzaneen Hugh Patrick Slattery, MSC,was born on the 10th of March 1934 in Nenagh in Co Tipperary, Ireland.
 He joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) in August 1951 and entered the MSC novitiate at Myross Wood, Cork in Ireland. He made his first profession the following year and was ordained a priest on 16 July 1958.
 Soon after his ordination, he was sent to South Africa, where he was appointed to the Diocese of Port Elizabeth. From 1961 to 1966, he studied at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and graduated with a BA Honours degree, majoring in African Studies.
 In 1966, Fr Hugh Slattery MSC took up an appointment at Lumko Missiological Institute in Queenstown. He became Rector of the Institute in 1973, a position he held until 1980, when he was elected the regional superior of the MSCs in Southern Africa.
On 22 June 1984, he was appointed Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Louis Trichardt-Tzaneen. His episcopal ordination took place on 30 September 1984 in Dwars River Parish.
 On the 28th of January 2010, after 25 years of serving the Diocese of Tzaneen as its bishop, he retired and he continued with pastoral work at Musina Parish for three years and thereafter lived and served at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre, Mooketsi in the Tzaneen Diocese.
He moved to Pretoria in December 2023 and passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Home, Pretoria, on Sunday afternoon 6th of October 2024.
Bishop Hugh Slattery's death is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Julia, by his sister Margaret O'Brien (Ballycommon) and by his brother William (Billy) (Ballyanny).
He is deeply mourned by his family: especially his sister Clare RSM (Nenagh), his brother James (Jimmy) (Ballyanny), his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and by his friends in Ireland; mourned also by his fellow Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,and by all in the Diocese of Tzaneen and in SACBC region.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Funeral Services

 

Bishop Emeritus Hugh Patrick Slattery MSC:1934-2024

 

Bishop Hugh SLattery MSC passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Home, Pretoria on Sunday afternoon 6th of October 2024. May the Lord in his mercy grant him eternal peace in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Bishop Emeritus Hugh Parrick Slattery was born on the 10th of March 1934 in Nenagh in Co Tipperary, Ireland.

 Feeling the call to the priesthood he joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSCs) and was ordained a priest in 1958.

In 1984 he was appointed and ordained the Bishop of Louis-Trichardt- Tzaneen.
On the 28th of January 2010 he retired and went to live in a small community to continue pastoral work at Musina and later was based at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre.

He moved to Pretoria in December 2023 and passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Home, Pretoria on Sunday afternoon 6th of October 2024.

His missionary life was full and varied. 

When the Lumko Missiological Institute was set up the MSCs were approached to provide qualified staff and Fr Hugh Slattery was missioned there. The Institute developed and provided courses in local languages and social anthropology for new missionaries. Training was also provided for catechists, and other departments were added to deliver training in pastoral and biblical studies. The Institute produced many practical training materials for various lay ministries which have been widely used around the world. In 1978, Fr Hugh Slattery co-edited Pastoral Orientation in a Changing World.

Bishop Hugh was also instrumental in the writing of the book HIV/AIDS A Call to Action – Responding as Christians, was inspired by the positive response he received to a Pastoral Letter he wrote on the issue. The Pastoral Letter received praise from the then Archbishop of Durban, Wilfrid Napier. In the foreword to the book, he writes: “The Pastoral Letter by Bishop Hugh Slattery is a most valuable instrument in the battle not only to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS, but especially to ensure that the followers of Jesus reach out in love and compassion to those who are suffering from AIDS … Bishop Slattery’s approach will make it possible for many more Catholics to know the Church’s teaching and live it. In that way they will not only make a telling impact on the spread of HIV/AIDS, but also rebuild their marriages and family life on the values of the Gospel.”

He also played an important role in having other materials published but his crowning glory was the promotion of the cause resulting in the eventual beatification of Blessed Benedict Daswa on 13 September 2015. The now Bishop Emeritus, Hugh Slattery MSC, in his book on Benedict Daswa – South Africa’s First Martyr, writes “Nourished by prayer, the Word of God and the regular reception of the Sacraments, Benedict was deeply involved in the life of the parish. He was full of enthusiasm for the spread of the gospel through building up strong, local Catholic communities.”
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Like the seed buried in the ground, you have produced the harvest of eternal life for us; make us always dead to sin and alive to God. Benedict Daswa Pray for us. Amen.