Professor Anthony Towey RIP

Professor Anthony Towey

St Mary's University, Twickenham, have published the following statement today:

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of our colleague Professor Anthony Towey. The thoughts and prayers of the St Mary's community are with Anthony's wife Karen, daughter Bethany, and wide circle of family and friends.

A Mass for the repose of Anthony's soul will be held in the University Chapel at 1.05pm on Tuesday, 28th June and a Memorial Mass will be arranged for early next term, after consultation with Anthony's family. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.

Anthony McClaran, Vice-Chancellor St Mary's University, Twickenham, wrote to the St Mary's community this morning (June 24th, 2022): "Following the sudden onset of Anthony's illness, the St Mary's community has come together every week to pray for his recovery and for his wife Karen and daughter Bethany, led by the Chaplaincy and close friends of the University, the Sisters of the Assumption. We know that this meant a lot to Anthony and his family during his final days, and I would like to thank colleagues for taking the time to take join these hours of prayer.

"Anthony has been a leader in Theological and Catholic Pedagogical research throughout his career and has been a much-loved and well-respected member of the St Mary's community for many years. The University recently recognised Anthony's contributions to our community by presenting him with a St Mary's Medal, the highest honour the University can bestow."

Prof Anna Lise Gordon, Director Institute of Education at St Mary's University commented: "Colleagues across the Institute of Education at St Mary's are deeply saddened by news of Anthony's death. Anthony was such a wonderful colleague, living out St Mary's values in all aspects of his work in Catholic education and research. Anthony was an inspiration to so many colleagues and students - wise, considerate, thoughtful, inclusive, encouraging and a wordsmith par excellence. We will miss him hugely."

Dr Jacob Philips, Director Institute of Theology and Liberal Arts at St Mary's University added: "Anthony was a colleague we will never forget. He was fiercely passionate, always loyal to the Catholic faith, had a big heart and even bigger laugh. He has left an indelible imprint on the way we do Theology at St Mary's, and on the hearts and minds of the countless students he taught here over the years."

Following the completion of his PhD at the Gregorian University in Rome on the Eucharistic Thought of Thomas Aquinas, Anthony served as Academic Tutor at the Venerable English College, and the Head of RE at Loreto College, Manchester, before joining St Mary's as Head of Theology, Philosophy and History.

More recently Anthony was the Director of the Centre for Catholic Education, Research and Religious Literacy, making a number of important contributions to academic and public life. Anthony was directly involved with the 2016 Department for Education A-Level and GCSE reforms and developed a new curriculum for AQA. Anthony also served as a member of the RE Commission convened by the Religious Education Council 2018, was an Ofqual subject expert and regularly participated in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Religious Education.

Anthony also played a large role in ecclesiastical life. He consulted for the Bishops' Conference on Inter-Faith & Humanist Dialogue and was part of an academic group advising on the new Religious Education Curriculum Directory. He regularly hosted theological conferences at St Mary's, spoke at events and retreats, and was editor of the Pastoral Review journal.

Father Philip Dyer-Perry, Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Staines, wrote on Facebook: "It is with great sadness that I have to share the news of the death of Anthony Towey, one of our parishioners and Chair of Governors at Our Lady of the Rosary School. Many will known Anthony from our online Night Prayer, Lenten Scripture talks, and playing the guitar at 11.00 Mass.

After a relatively short time of illness, Anthony died very early this morning, Friday 24th June, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This little detail means a lot, for the Sacred Heart is a lovely celebration of Jesus love-filled heart, but is also rather bittersweet. This is Jesus who loves us with a burning heart, yet whose heart was also pierced with a lance. So today is very much a feast day for those with broken hearts.

The Sacred Heart reminds us that where there is true love, both joy and pain are found very close together - and nowhere is this more apparent than in grief. Today our hearts go out to Anthony's wife Karen and daughter Bethany, to all family members, relatives, friends, and all who loved and were loved by Anthony. May Jesus, the Sacred Heart, wrap them all in his tender embrace. May Christ, whose heart was wounded, comfort and heal all broken hearts. May the Lord, who walked beside Anthony in his life, now welcome him into his eternal home.

As a little aside, I remember when Anthony (or rather 'Ant' as he is more widely known) and his family first moved into our parish here in Staines. I had heard about 'Professor Towey' in advance, that he was a brilliant theologian, engaging lecturer, editor of academic journals, skilled liturgist, and so much more besides. Faced with such a renowned expert in the pews, I was a little apprehensive. Would we get on? What would he make of our parish? I didn't need to fear - as from the very beginning to this unexpected end, I have experienced nothing but affirmation, encouragement, and gratitude. I think I speak for many in saying that Ant will be very much missed - but you can be sure that our loss is heaven's gain - which is fortunate, because it is where we will all meet in the end."