Obituaries & Tributes

Pax Christi USA writes: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6 With heavy hearts, Pax Christi USA announces the passing of Fr Joe Nangle, OFM, our 2023 Teacher of Peace, Ambassador of Peace, and longtime beloved friend, who died on December 14 at the age of 92. "Father Joe Nangle was the 'real deal' as a follower of Francis of Assisi... Read More

Tributes have been paid to Father Peter Keeling, who served in parishes throughout the diocese and was the last parish priest of the "Old" St Mary's Cathedral in Sussex Street, Middlesbrough. Bishop Terry Drainey was principal celebrant at Father Peter's Requiem Mass at a packed St Francis of Assisi Church, before burial in Acklam Cemetery. Born on the town's Grove Hill estate on March 18 1938, F... Read More

Sister Amparo Barrera - 8. 5.1928 - 3.10.2024 Our dear Sister Amparo Barrera belonged to the Congregation of the Religious of Mary Immaculate, Southwell Gardens, SW7 4RN. She went to enjoy the presence of God on the eve of the feast of St Francis of Assisi. She loved nature, she left us to be able sing with the Poverello the canticle of the Creatures for all Eternity. She was born in Santander in... Read More

Fr John Friel CP gave the following Euology during the Funeral Vigil for Fr Myles Kavanagh CP at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne Belfast on 13th November 2024. The boss is gone. These past few days and indeed over many years people had various names for Myles but regardless of whether they were overtly positive or mildly critical, none of them could in anyway question that he lived his life with pass... Read More

The oldest priest of the Diocese of East Anglia, Fr Olindo Cramaro, passed away peacefully at home, a few days before his 97th birthday on Thursday November 31. Fr Jeffrey Downie here pays tribute. Living in care for most of this year, Fr Olindo celebrated an amazing 70 years of priesthood on January 24, joined by local clergy for Mass, a small party and receiving a special Papal Blessing. A nati... Read More

Gustavo Gutierrez: 8 June 1928-22 October 2024 Locating turning points in history is strangely attractive. We like to account for them by the actions of great men (rarely women). Before it was like this, after it was like that, the story goes. Though in reality many influences are at work, many slow changes and complex dynamics lie between the before and after. Peruvian Dominican priest Gustavo Gu... Read More

Ethel Kennedy, the widow of the late Democratic senator and presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy died on Thursday after a stroke. She was 96. Joe Kennedy III wrote on X: "It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week. Along with a lifetime's work in so... Read More

The death has occurred of Sister Eileen Keating PBVM, who was Provincial of the Presentation Sisters in England and the Holy Land. Sr Eileen died peacefully at home in Matlock Convent on 11 September 2024, following a long illness bravely borne, surrounded by her wide family circle of Presentation Sisters, her brother, sisters, Ruta and other members of the Holy Family Community, Sheffield, who we... Read More

Some people are natural leaders, while others have the ability to put distressed and vulnerable people at ease, offering them comfort and compassion. However, it is rare to find someone who combines both characteristics. With the death of Mama Lambert last week, Rwanda has lost such a unique person. Until 1994, Beata Mukarubuga was a teacher in Rwanda, living with her husband and their eight child... Read More

Today, on the 45th anniversary of John Bradburne's death, we remember a man who dedicated his life to serving others with extraordinary humility and love. John Bradburne, a British layman, missionary, and poet, chose to live among the people living with leprosy at Mutemwa in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where he became a beacon of hope and compassion. His life was marked by a profound spirituality, de... Read More

The Requiem Mass for Archbishop Noël Treanor was celebrated on Tuesday, in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Belfast, followed by interment afterwards in the 'Chapel of the Resurrection' of the Cathedral. The Chief Celebrant was Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor. Principal Concelebrants were Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Arthur Roche,... Read More

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has expressed his sorrow, prayers, and condolences having learned of the death of Archbishop Noël Treanor, the Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Archbishop Treanor, a former Bishop of Down and Connor in Northern Ireland, attended the Holy Land Co-Ordination for... Read More

On behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, I wish to express my sadness at the news of the death yesterday of Archbishop Noël Treanor RIP, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Like so many others, I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noël's premature passing. At this sad time for all who knew him across Ireland, Europe and throughout the universal Church, I join wit... Read More

Archbishop Noël Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, at the age of 73. COMECE President Mgr Crociata: "We have lost a true man of dialogue who passionately and creatively accompanied EU integration from a Catholic perspective." "With deep sorrow, we have learned of the passing of our brother, Monsignor Noel Treanor. On beha... Read More