Text: Bishop George Stack at Fr Joseph Ryan’s 40th Anniversary Mass

Fr Joe, Bishop George with family and friends

Bishop George Stack, Archbishop-elect of Cardiff gave the following homily at Fr Joseph Ryan’s 40th anniversary Mass in St John Vianney’s Church, West Green last Saturday. This was his last public engagement.

Almost 20 years ago I was one of the Director of the company set up by the Diocese of Westminster to buy the freehold of the Silver Lady public house next door to the church. Eventually it became the parish centre, a real phoenix rising from the ashes of the wooden hall that had been burned down a few years before. Since then, I have always thought of the church of St John Vianney and the Phoenix Centre being like two lungs which breath life into the Body of Christ her in West Green Parish. You are alive and active not just for your own good but for the service of the wider community of this part of Haringey and beyond.

But I really am disappointed that in the midst of all the wonderful activities which take place here, the Phoenix Centre no longer holds bingo sessions! Those of us who worship at the Temple of Bingo will know that Blind Forty, or Naughty Forty, or more significantly life begins at forty, are all clues as to how important the number forty is. It’s important in the Bible too. Moses led the People of Israel in their search for the Promised Land for forty years. Noah saved his people and his animals from the flood by building an ark and sailing for forty days until the flood subsided. And Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert, being tempted, being challenged, as to what kind of Messiah he would be. How was he really going to unfold God’s saving plan to the people of his time and ours too?

The recent banking crisis has reminded us that we all still live with those temptations. Free credit and huge debts made sure when they were recalled the banks would be baled out by the taxpayers. Although we failed to count the cost, we guaranteed that those who persuaded us to live beyond our means would not dash their foot against a stone. The invitation to “fall down and worship me” doesn’t just relate to statues and idol worship. Pope Benedict spoke very clearly about the devilish pact we make with wealth and money.

What has all that got to do with Fr Joe Ryan and the fortieth anniversary of his priesthood? Having known his for virtually the whole of his priestly life, I can say that he has been a prophetic voice, not just in word but in his actions, proclaiming “Live simply so that others may simply live”. His commitment to those who are poor in any way whatsoever is an expression of this. His passion and compassion for justice, truth and integrity has been lived out in high profile campaigns and in quiet, private, persona concern for the dignity and well being of so many individual people. The people of this parish will know at first hand of his capacity to develop confidence and responsibility, helping them as individuals and as a community to make a difference to the world in which they live. He truly believes that “There are a variety of gifts, but always the same ``Spirit. There are all sorts of services to be done, but always to the same Lord, working in all sorts of different ways in different people.”

The readings chosen for this Jubilee Mass say it all. Like all priest, in his heart of hearts, Joe echoes the words of the prophet Jeremiah, knowing that on his own he is not capable of going into the most unexpected places and proclaiming God’s word and God’s way. At his Ordination in the Cathedral at Thurles forty years ago Joe placed his trust in the love of God. Thanks to the gift of his family and the people of Two Mile Borris, Tipperary, made to the Church, Joe has had the faith and courage to become one of the bad of missionaries of which Ireland can be so proud. In Luke’s gospel “He sent them out two by two to all the towns he himself was to visit.” Joe has always worked in partnership with his Bishop, fellow priests and people.

This is my last engagement in the Diocese of Westminster after nearly forty years here serving as a Bishop, Priest and Deacon. I am driving to Cardiff straight after this Mass. There are two reasons I didn’t cancel this engagement. One is that I hope Joe will preach at my fortieth anniversary of priesthood next year! But my real reason is that I can think of no better example of priestly dedication and service, of humility and simplicity of life, of solidarity and prophetic witness that he offers to himself, to his fellow priests, to this parish and to the wider Church. I feel privileged to be here to give thanks to God with you for this good and faithful priests.

Saturday 11 June 2011