Obituary: Fr Charles Lynch

Charles Edward Lynch was born in Liverpool on 10 November 1929, the son of Charles Edward and Gertrude Veronica.

His early education was at Blessed Sacrament Primary School, Liverpool, and St Mary's College, Crosby.

His ecclesiastical studies were undertaken at Ushaw College, Durham, and he was ordained to the priesthood at St Joseph's, Chorley, on 17 July 1955.

In September 1955 he returned to Ushaw College where he taught until September 1962, when he was appointed to the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Liverpool.

In September 1966 he moved to Sacred Heart, Wigan, and then in May 1971 he was invited by Archbishop George Andrew Beck to train for a new post: that of the first Public Relations Officer for the Archdiocese. Accordingly, in July 1971 he departed for the Catholic Information Centre, London, and in January 1972 returned to the Archdiocese to take up his appointment in the Archdiocesan Offices on Brownlow Hill as Catholic Press and Information Officer, residing at St Anne's, Liverpool.

He set about his task with the aim of bringing the Catholic Church to the newsrooms of the north and during his six years in the post, he enjoyed a unique rapport with the members of the Liverpool Press Club, and was highly respected in that circle. In one particular year, he successfully set himself the target of having at least one Archdiocesan press release per month broadcast on local television.

In October 1978 he relinquished his post as Press and Information Officer to undertake his next appointment as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sorrows, Liverpool. He remained there until July 1992 when he accepted his final appointment as Parish Priest of St Pius X, Widnes.

He retired from active ministry in August 2005, and returned to his family home in Leeds.

He died on the evening of Friday, 23 February in Leeds General Infirmary following a short illness. May he rest in peace.

His body will be received into St Pius X Church, Widnes, for Mass at 7.30pm on Monday 5 March.m

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Pius X at 11am on Tuesday 6 March, followed by Interment at Widnes Cemetery. Source: Diocese of Liverpool