Bishop who set Cathedral plans in motion is re-interred in its shadow

The former Bishop of Meath, who is remembered for giving life to plans for Mullingar's magnificent Diocesan cathedral, has been laid to rest there in a re-burial Mass led by one of his successors.Bishop Matthew Gaffney was interred on the grounds of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar on Monday morning last, November 2 - All Souls Day - almost one hundred years after he was buried at the Franciscan Abbey at Multyfarnham.The re-burial came after consultations with Bishop Gaffney's surviving relatives, who were anxious to see their ancestor's remains rest beside the Diocese's chief place of worship.In a solemn and dignified celebration, led by the current Bishop of Meath, Dr. Michael Smith and priests of the Diocese, the wishes of Bishop Gaffney's relatives were granted.And it was fitting that the Mountnugent native be interred at the Cathedral. In his first pastoral letter in 1900, it was the late Bishop who set in motion the original plans for a new Diocesan cathedral in Mullingar.Weeks after the Bishop published the letter, a committee was set up to oversee the project, and a sum of £15,000 pledged - eight percent of the final contract price.Unfortunately, Bishop Gaffney - who died on December 15, 1909 at the age of 70 - didn't live to see his vision realised, but the new Cathedral of Christ the King eventually opened its doors, and was dedicated in 1939.Described in the December 18, 1909 edition of the Westmeath Examiner as a well-read man "of great literary taste and ability", Bishop Gaffney began life in the priesthood as a student at St. Finian's Seminary, Navan, followed by studies at Maynooth College.Ordained in 1868, he was appointed a Professor at St. Mary's College, Mullingar; he also served time as a curate in Tullamore.In 1882, the then Bishop of Meath, Dr. Thomas Nulty, appointed him as parish priest of Clara, where he later became a Monsignor and Vicar-General of the Diocese. In 1899, he was unanimously chosen by his colleagues as Dr. Nulty's successor.One of his first tasks as Bishop was to build the St. Finian's Seminary College in Mullingar, and simultaneously, he made great strides in securing funds for the new Cathedral.The author of a Catechism for the Diocese, Bishop Gaffney retired from the Episcopal See in 1906, and held the title of Bishop Emeritus of Meath until his death.He was succeeded as bishop by Most Rev. Dr. Laurence Gaughran (1842-1928).Monday's re-burial ceremony took place after 10am Mass, and the late Bishop was prayed for by his surviving relatives, and a sizeable crowd of Mullingar parishioners.