Weak Health: Ireland’s Longest Ordained Priest Has Died
He was ordained in late 1941 and spent almost 81 years in the priesthood, and 87 years in religious life.
Father Placid studied philosophy and theology in Maredsous Abbey, Belgium. At the beginning of the Second World War, he flew to southern France.
After the surrender of France, he returned to Belgium and then went to Sant'Anselmo in Rome to finish his studies.
On the grounds of “delicate health”, he was ordained a priest ahead of time at Monte Cassino Archabbey (December 20, 1941).
Back in Ireland, he taught religion and German, earned a doctorate on Cardinal Newman, and translated liturgical texts. He was not happy with the [excellent] corrections to these translations in later years.
The past 14 years, he spent in a nursing home, but he still visited Glenstal for Mass and lunch every week and the celebration of his birthday became an annual event.
When he celebrated his 104th birthday, a monk asked him what it was like to have reached such an age. He replied, "I find there is very little peer pressure now."
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