Clifton: Father Leo Porter has died

Father Leo Porter, a Priest of the Clifton Diocese, died on Friday, 30 July, at Holy Family Presbytery, Swindon. Born in Swindon on 11 February 1940 he was ordained a Priest on 27 March 1978 in Holy Rood Church, Swindon. He took up his first appointment as Assistant Priest at St Peter's, Gloucester in August 1978 a ministry he fulfilled until October 1981. He then served as Assistant Priest in St Thomas More, Cheltenham, and Holy Cross, Bedminster, Bristol before taking up his first ministry in his home town of Swindon in September 1984 as Assistant Priest at St Mary's. In December 1987 he was appointed as Parish Priest to St Edmund, Calne, Wiltshire, before returning to Swindon in September 1984 to become Parish Priest at Holy Family. The Dean of Swindon, Reverend Liam Slattery, paid tribute to Father Leo saying: "The news of the unexpected death of Fr Leo Porter, Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Swindon, has been received with great sadness by family, parishioners, friends and fellow colleagues. Fr Leo was a priest who loved his ministry, and was devoted to the pastoral and spiritual needs of those entrusted to his care in the various parishes in which he served. "Throughout his recent illness and subsequent disability, Father Leo showed a courage, patience and acceptance that was an inspiration to all who visited him. He was looking forward to taking up a new appointment in September as Chaplain to the Little Sisters of the Poor Residential Home and Day Centre in Bristol. Father Leo was a man of prayer and it is in prayer that we remember and give thanks for his life and ministry as a priest of God". Fr Leo's body will be received into Holy Family Church, Marlowe Avenue, Swindon on Tuesday, 10 August at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7pm celebrated by Monsignor Canon Jeremy Rigden, Vicar General of the Clifton Diocese. The Bishop of Clifton, Right Reverend Declan Lang, will celebrate his Requiem Mass at Holy Family Church on Wednesday, 11 August at 11.30 am followed by committal at Kingsdown Crematorium, Swindon. Those seeking further information about funeral arrangements should contact St Mary's, Swindon on telephone number 01793 535089 or email toveyroad@aol.com. Source: Clifton Diocese