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Talk:James Joseph Higgins

Notability / AfC process

Hi ForayHistory. You originally submitted this proposed title via the AfC process. And, despite feedback in that process from Theroadislong and Jlwoodwa and GoingBatty (and indeed from Bbb23), you appear to have decided (after a couple of days and without waiting for feedback from those that raised the concerns) that all the issues noted had been fully addressed. And that you would unilaterally move the AfC draft to the main article namespace. Ignoring that this isn't how the AfC process is intended to work, the concerns raised by multiple editors (on sourcing and notability) remain. Concerns, in honesty, which I share.

Please consider addressing those concerns. Which include that:

  1. Many of the inline references appear to be misplaced. (In that they do not support the text they are placed alongside).
  2. Notability needs to be established by independent/reliable sources. (Interviews [whether audio or print] are not independent and do not contribute to notability. Obituaries, other than those in national newspapers of record, also generally do not contribute to notability. Sources associated with the subject, such as those published by the order of which the subject was a member, also do not materially contribute to notability).
  3. Much of the text is delivered as "bullet points". (Wikipedia isn't a directory or a PowerPoint presentation. Prose is preferred.)

Thanks. Guliolopez (talk) 11:44, 1 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your interest in this article; indeed there is room for improvement. However, I believe this article meets Wikipedia’s notability guidelines, specifically WP:BIO and WP:GNG, for the following reasons:
1. National Media Coverage:
Fr Higgins received a full obituary in The Irish Independent (8 April 2016), a major national newspaper. This obituary is a reliable, independent source that offers significant coverage beyond a trivial mention.
2. Honours and Recognition:
He was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the President of Nigeria in 1982 for services to education — a national-level state honour. He also received the papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 for meritorious service.
3. Academic Citations:
His book Kindling the Fire (2003) is cited in two peer-reviewed journal articles by Professor Uyilawa Usuanlele (2019 and 2023) as a primary historical source on Irish Catholic missionary work in Nigeria. His life and writings are therefore used in peer-reviewed historical research.
4. Published Biographical Sources:
He is profiled in Irene Christina Lynch’s independent book, Beyond Faith and Adventure (2006), which profiles Irish missionaries in Nigeria. He was also featured in the Irish Life and Lore oral history archive (IMU Missionary Stories Project), an independent interview project of historical significance.
5. Leadership and Public Service:
Fr Higgins served in Nigeria for over 60 years as a missionary, teacher, and educational leader. He was principal of several schools, parish priest, and Society Superior in Warri (1983–1989). He was elected as a delegate to the SMA Irish Provincial Assembly twice, indicating leadership and peer recognition.
Conclusion:
Based on national press coverage, state and ecclesiastical honours, academic citations, third-party biographies, and recognised leadership roles, the subject meets Wikipedia’s notability requirements. While additional citations would further strengthen the article, the current sources are sufficient to justify removing the tags questioning notability and source independence. ForayHistory (talk) 13:14, 3 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Hi. RE:
  • "received a full obituary in The Irish Independent (8 April 2016), a major national newspaper". Where is that? As of the current revision, the only non-primary obit in the article, dated 9 April 2016, is from the Sligo Champion. Which is a weekly regional newspaper. Granted owned by the same company that owns the (national) Irish Independent. And therefore also available (as with all INM regional/local article) via the independent.ie website. But the Sligo Champion is not a "major national newspaper" itself. Is there an Irish Independent obit not in the article?
  • "His book Kindling the Fire (2003) is cited in two peer-reviewed journal articles by Professor Uyilawa Usuanlele (2019 and 2023)". In Uyilawa Usuanlele's 2023 article, Higgins' work is used to support one simple subjective statement. That "Fr Thomas Bartley [..] had been described as a very rigid person". That is the only time the work is cited. Simply being cited once (especially in such a relatively passing/minor manner) doesn't materially contribute to notability.
Unless there are other sources that establish notability, will be moving this to AfD. Guliolopez (talk) 14:16, 3 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]