Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, Fr Bernard McCumiskey RIP

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Mgr Martin Hayes, Vicar General of the Diocese of Westminster writes:

I write with the sad news of the death this morning, 24 January, of Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, formerly a priest and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Westminster and Bishop Emeritus of Lancaster. He was very much in our prayers since the notice circulated yesterday. He died peacefully at home in Nazareth House, Mallow in Co Cork where he had been living since 2013, close to family and friends and being cared for by the Sisters and staff there.

The sad news of the death of Fr Bernard McCumiskey was received yesterday evening. Fr Bernard died yesterday afternoon, 23 January, at Redesdale Court Care Home in North Shields close to where he had been living in retirement in Whitley Bay until his needs required more care. Fr Bernard was born in Northumberland on 9 August 1938 and ordained to the priesthood as a Carmelite at Aylesford Priory, Kent by Archbishop Cyril Cowderoy on 18 July 1971. He was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Westminster in 1977.

Sympathy is extended to Bishop Pat's and Fr Bernard's family and friends, to those with whom they lived in retirement and the clergy, religious and parishioners of their former parishes in the Diocese and beyond.

Funeral arrangements for both will be made in accordance with the protocols necessary due to the coronavirus pandemic.
We pray for the repose of the souls of Bishop Pat and Fr Bernard:

Lord Jesus, our Redeemer,
you willingly gave yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life.
Listen to our prayers, look with love on your people who mourn and pray for Bishop Pat and Fr Bernard.
Lord Jesus, holy and compassionate, forgive their sins.
By dying you opened the gates of life for those who believe in you.
Do not let our brothers be parted from you, but by your glorious power give them light, joy and peace in heaven
where you live for ever and ever.
May the soul of these faithful servants of the Lord and ministers of His mercy and compassion rest in peace. Amen.

Alan Whelan comments:

So sad to hear of the death of a good friend of many years. I knew Fr Pat when he used to visit his Fulham parish students at Chelsea's St Thomas More Secondary School at lunch times when I was on playground duty. Later at Cathedral Administrator he gave me a ticket to Pope John Paul visit to Westminster Cathedral. He confirmed my eldest son in Hanwell Parish and joined us for postConfirmation celebrations.

As Bishop of Lancaster his Fit for Mission publication was exemplary. He was"hauled" before Parliament to explain Catholic teaching on Life and justify his exclusion of Amnesty from all schools in his diocese.

More recently I visited him in the Nursing Home enroute through Mallow on our annual trips to Westminster and on to Lourdes. He was so chirpy despite his fall. And my Bantry Marriage Encounter friends speak so effusively of his time in that parish.

A great pastor has died.

See also: A shepherd who knew the smell of the sheep www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-o-donaghue-rest-in-peace/OBITUARIES