Bishop Lee, who served as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore for twenty years passed away this morning, aged 82.
“It is with great sadness and profound respect that I announce the passing of our beloved predecessor, Bishop William Lee,” Bishop Lee’s successor, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said.
“Bishop Lee dedicated his life to serving the Catholic Church and the people of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore with firm commitment and passion,” the bishop added.
Bishop Lee was born in Newport, Co Tipperary in 1941. He attended school at the Convent of Mercy National school, the Boy’s National school in Newport and then Rockwell College in Cashel.
In 1966, Bishop lee was ordained a priest after he studied for the priesthood in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He was later awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1969.
Appointed curate in the parish of Finglas West in the Archdiocese of Dublin in 1969, he ministered there for two years.
After his work in Dublin and a short period of time in Rome where Bishop Lee studied at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was appointed Bursar and Professor of Philosophy at Saint Patrick’s College in Thurles.
He served as Chairperson of the Diocesan Catholic Marriage Advisory Council and was a member of the first National Executive of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council in Ireland.
Bishop Lee also served on the Cork Regional Marriage Tribunal
He was appointed as President of Saint Patrick’s College in Thurles in 1987 before he was appointed Bishop of Waterford and Lismore by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1993.
During that time Bishop Lee was Secretary to the Irish Episcopal Conference for 15 years, from 1998 until 2013, when retired.
“From 1993 until his retirement in 2013, Bishop Lee served as the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore with unwavering dedication and compassion,” Bishop Cullinan said.
“He worked tirelessly to ensure that the spiritual needs of the faithful were met and that the Church continued to be a beacon of hope and guidance for all.
“His commitment to the people of this Diocese, his steadfast love for the Church and his wisdom and friendship will be sorely missed,” the bishop added.
“We ask for your prayers for the repose of his soul, and we give thanks for his many years of service to the Church and the people he served.”