Fr Harry Kennedy, a founding priest of the Diocese of Broken Bay, has passed away at the age of 87, after offering more than six decades of priestly service to the Church.
He passed away late on the evening of Wednesday, 16 September 2026. He had only recently been re-admitted to hospital to Hornsby Hospital after spending time in respite at McQuoin Park.
Fr Harry will be remembered particularly fondly by the parishioners of Wyong, Epping, Mona Vale, Avalon and Pennant Hills where he ministered to the faithful of the Diocese of Broken Bay. He also served for two decades in the Archdiocese of Sydney prior to joining Broken Bay at its founding in 1986.
“Throughout his many years of ministry, Fr Harry was known for his steadfast commitment to his priestly vocation, his dedication to parish communities, and his willingness to serve wherever he was needed,” said Fr David Ranson, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Broken Bay.
“His long and faithful witness to the Gospel touched countless lives across Sydney and the Diocese of Broken Bay. With gratitude for his years of service, the Church commends Fr Harry to the loving mercy of God. May he be rewarded for his faithful ministry and welcomed into the eternal joy of the Kingdom he proclaimed throughout his life.”
Fr Henry (Harry) Joseph Kennedy was born in Sydney on 3 May 1939 to James Hayes Kennedy and Helen Kennedy (née Whittaker).
He received his early education at the Good Samaritan Convent, Balmain, before attending the Christian Brothers' School in Balmain and later St Mary’s Cathedral School. Responding to a call to priestly ministry, Harry undertook his seminary formation at St Columba’s College, Springwood, and St Patrick’s College, Manly. He was ordained to the priesthood by Norman Thomas Cardinal Gilroy at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 20 July 1963.
Following his ordination, Fr Harry embarked upon more than six decades of faithful priestly service.
His early ministry in the Archdiocese of Sydney included appointments as Assistant Priest at Auburn, Campsie, Rockdale and Greenacre. He subsequently served in a range of pastoral and administrative roles, including service at St Mary’s Cathedral and appointments as Administrator and Relief Priest across a number of parishes including Eastwood, Willoughby, Woy Woy, Narrabeen, Seven Hills, South Hurstville, Springwood, Penrith and Wyong. In 1984, he was appointed Parish Priest of Wyong.
Following the establishment of the Diocese of Broken Bay, Fr Harry continued his dedicated ministry within the Diocese. He served as a member of the Centacare Advisory Board, the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors, and the Bishop’s Special Consultation Committee, providing valued counsel and leadership to successive bishops and diocesan agencies. His pastoral appointments included Parish Priest of Epping from 1994 and Parish Priest of Mona Vale and Avalon from 1997.
In 2003, Fr Harry commenced ministry as Assistant Priest at Pennant Hills, where he continued to exercise his priestly service with generosity and dedication. Following a lifetime of ministry, he retired in 2020.
A priest for more than sixty-three years, Fr Harry's faithful service to the Church was recognised in 2026 when Pope Leo awarded him the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, one of the Holy See’s highest honours bestowed upon clergy and laity in recognition of distinguished service to the Church.
Funeral arrangements for Fr Harry have not been announced yet and may not take place for a couple of weeks.
Eternal rest grant unto Fr Harry, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace, and may his soul and all the souls of the Faithful Departed rest in peace. Amen.
Requiescat in pace
