Fr. Albert Cooney SMA is one hundred years old. He was born on January 7th 1925 and raised in Tierlahood, Stradone, Co. Cavan. He is now the sole surviving sibling of 13 children – 4 of whom chose the religious life and served in the missions of Australia, Philippines and Africa. As a young man Albert, or Al as friends know him, emigrated to America. It was there that he met members of the American Province of the SMA and realised that he wanted to be a missionary priest.
He joined the SMA and having completed his
training and studies was ordained to the priesthood on 5th February 1955. Thus, in addition being 100 years old, Fr Al is, this year, also celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of his Ordination – seventy years of priesthood and ministry. During the last seven decades, Fr. Al has served in the SMA American Province’s Development and Animation House in Chicago; he ministered to African American and Caribbean Catholic communities in urban Los Angeles and in Florida.
Yet of all his mission assignments, the time dearest to Fr. Albert was the 38 years he spent in Liberia, West Africa, particularly in the coastal communities of Cape Palmas. In the best of times and the more challenging times, Fr. Al remained a steadfast figure for the people entrusted to him. Although the brutal civil war in the early 1990’s disrupted his work in Liberia he remained committed to giving of himself to a people for whom he had a special love. Open to the Holy Spirit, Fr. Cooney later returned to East Africa, shifting his service to the people of Kenya and he remained there until 2006. He is now retired and living in the American Provincial House in Tenafly, New Jersey.
Fr. Cooney remains in good health, thanks be to God. He relished in the recent celebration of his 100 years that took place in Tenafly on his actual birthday, 7th January 2025. He was joined by many family members as well as confreres who travelled from near and far to honor his life and service.
Our Superior General Fr. Antonio Porcelatto, SMA, came from Rome to lead the honors with the celebration of the Holy Mass. He presented Fr. Al with a special Papal blessing along with a lit candle from Rome as a symbol showing him as a reflection of the light of Christ and a light and hope to the Church. Fr. Antonio also acknowledged him as the oldest member of the S.M.A. worldwide and emphasized that his presence among us (both young and old) is truly a sign that we are “Pilgrims of Hope” on the journey in life. The three-minute standing ovation was just a mere glimpse of the immense joy expressed on that day. The Mass was followed by a lively luncheon full of song, tears and laughter.
Fr. Al remains the man, the missionary and the priest who still lights up the room with his lively smile and wit. His century of wisdom is a pearl of great worth, his courage is admirable. He lives a faith rarely seen these days and his humility is worth noting – he just wants to remain a “hidden instrument in the hand of God.”
We S.M.A. Fathers are so very proud of the man who wants to remain hidden. This is a great milestone in his life as well as the life and patrimony of the African Mission Fathers. Thank you, to his parents and family for giving Fr. Al to us and for allowing us to share with you and to honor one of Ireland’s “great missionaries.”
Thanks to Fr Dermot S. Roache SMA, Vice Provincial of the American Province for this article.
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