Obituaries & Tributes

A note on the home page of the Sacred Heart church, Ruislip, reads: It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved parish priest, Fr Sean Carroll. He was found in the presbytery on the morning of 5th January 2025, the day before his second anniversary of arriving at Most Sacred Heart, Ruislip. We give thanks for his devoted, joy-filled service to our community and the other pa... Read More

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research announces the death of our founder, John Wijngaards, on 2nd January 2025. For nearly 50 years, John - whom many knew as 'Hans' - was a prominent supporter of the ordination of women in the Catholic Church. In 1998, he took a very public stand for this cause, resigning from the Catholic priesthood in prote... Read More

Pope Francis has said he is "saddened to learn of the death of former president Jimmy Carter" and offered his "heartfelt condolences" and prayers for those who mourn his passing. In a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope recalled Carter's "firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defence of h... Read More

Jimmy Carter will be celebrated for his foresight in urging the world to take climate change seriously, decades before it became fashionable. He should also be remembered for standing up for a tolerant and inclusive reading of Christianity, at odds with the prevailing fundamentalist tide in his native Deep South. But my memories of President Carter are from working together to promote the work of ... Read More

Faith leaders around the world have been offering their condolences and prayers to the families of the 179 people who died this morning as their plane crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea. This was Korea's worst-ever airline disaster. Only two people were rescued alive from the wreckage of the Jeju Air plane. Speaking after the Angelus prayer with pilgrims in St Pete... Read More

The Diocese of Westminster has announced the sad news of the death in the early hours of Christmas Eve, of Fr David Barnes, Parish Priest of St Anselm and St Cecilia, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Fr David died peacefully at St John's Hospice in St John's Wood, having turned 80 years of age on 23 December. Fr David was born on the Isle of Man on 23 December 1944. He had ministered as a priest of the Churc... Read More

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