MONSIGNOR Sean Swayne, an internationally renowned liturgist, has died aged 63. He was the first director of the Irish Institute of Pastoral Liturgy at St Patrick's College, Carlow, and was most recently parish priest of Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny.
Born on May 9th, 1933, in Australia, his family soon returned to Ireland, where he was brought up. In 1957 he was ordained and for nine years served as curate in Naas, Co Kildare.
Following studies in Paris, he was appointed to the faculty at St Patrick's College, from where he helped to found the IIPL. The institute has attracted students from all over the world to take part in its one year programme.
In 1989 Father Swayne was appointed monsignor in recognition of his lifelong promotion of the arts, liturgy and architecture. He was also chairman of the Irish Bishops' Commission for Sacred Art and Architecture.
He wrote a number of books, including Communion, Gather Around the Lord and The Old Grey Mouse: Graignamanagh Remembered, as well as regular articles in New Liturgy.
Mgr Swayne died on May 2nd, 1996.