Fr Clive Birch SM RIP

Fr Clive Birch SM

Fr Clive Birch SM, former Director of the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham, (whose Chapel of Reconciliation he helped design) from 1979 - 1985, and Superior of Notre Dame de France, Leicester Place, London, 1992-1996, died aged 82 in Hull on 1 December.

Born in Accrington, Lancashire, Clive studied Theology in the Marist Seminary in Lyon, France. He was a graduate of St Mary's Twickenham and the London Guildhall School of Music. He taught RE and music, and helped with musicals production, in schools in Exeter, Sidcup, Middlesbrough and Hull.

He suffered a debilitating stroke in 2003.

Fr John Hannan SM writes: "May the Lord reward his patient endurance during many years of disability and suffering. I spent two glorious years in Lyon with Clive, marvellous company with a creative approach for things 'outside the box'.

Another tribute: in Notre Dame de France in the 1990's "I witnessed Clive's inspiring level of commitment, energy and creativity put into relaunching the mission there. May all whose lives touched him through care and concern be blest."

His Requiem Mass took place on 7 January at the church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel in Hull. The Principal Celebrant was Fr Des Hanrahan SM. Watch a recording of the Mass here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwn4M4Uv2OA