Father David Standley - A pastor close to the smell of his sheep

Fr David returned to his old parish recently to preside at a wedding

Today I read a stirring obituary written by Pat Gaffney from Pax Christi about Fr David Standley, a priest of the Southwark diocese, whose funeral will be at 10 am at St George's cathedral on 25th April. In it she gave witness to his campaigning and achievements for peace and justice.

My experience of him, however, was simply as our parish priest at St Vincent de Paul parish in Battersea (1998-2012). Canon Charles Walker, the previous pp had specifically asked for Fr David as his replacement as they knew each other through the Jesus Caritas movement for priests. "I have left you in good hands", he told me.

Initially I wasn't quite so sure. We had a few heated debates in the beginning over theological issues. Fr David also couldn't understand why, as a committed Catholic woman, I didn't want to be a female priest. He felt so strongly about women's ordination that on principle, he didn't attend the Chrism Mass at the cathedral. He was genuinely surprised that I found the procession of priests coming down the aisle moving. But he was such an open person that on understanding this he eventually accompanied a group of us from the parish to this liturgy too. Not because he had changed his views on women's ordination but simply because he felt it was his duty to be with his flock.

Fr David was someone for whom his priesthood was part of his being rather than simply a job or a role. He was wonderful in confession with a listening and compassionate heart. Long after he had retired and left the parish, if I came across a soul in particular need, I would ring him up. He never said no and through this brought relief and healing to many.

Although he no doubt had people he liked more than others, he didn't have overt favourites or cliques in the parish that one could identify, Instead he was truly available for everyone in their time of need.. Thus many people considered him their special friend.

Each priest puts their own stamp on a parish. Fr David liked an open presbytery which not every priest can cope with. Over the Christmas period, those on their own or struggling were invited to share his table. For a time he gave a home to Fr Paul, a priest who was struggling.. During this era the hospitality at the presbytery could be quite lavish, as Fr Paul loved food and entertaining and was a fabulous cook. Seeing the enjoyment it gave his fellow priest, Fr David went along with this, although he himself preferred simpler fare. In his latter years Fr David gave up meat altogether. Fr Paul, a Yorkshireman, liked a bargain, while Fr David's priority was the environment. Fr Paul solved this possible clash of ethics by sticking organic labels on local Asda produce to disguise their provenance, confident that Fr David wouldn't notice. He didn't.

Fr David's main companion at the presbytery however was Titus. This was his incredibly fine but indulged ginger tomcat. Titus considered the parish and the church his domain. He would even wander on the sanctuary if he had a wont.. Unlike Fr David, Titus was not a pacifist and brought back to the presbytery a selection of birds and rodents as presents for his master. On one occasion the gift was a half dead pigeon he had attacked in the garden. Fr David was horrified at the behaviour of his delinquent animal. To Fr Paul's horror he insisted on taking the ailing bird to the vet "He paid £45 for its treatment and it died 8 hours later!" said Fr Paul. "I would have rung its neck". But that was Fr David.

When Fr David retired from parish life, he was able to continue with the pastoral side of his ministry without the burden of parish admin. . This really suited him. He had time for his garden and cooking and concerts as well helping out at the local parish and prison. Although we parishioners from St Vincent's didn't see him that much after he left, a little group regularly attended the online masses he had streamed from his living room during COVID. These were so special to them, that they insisted he keep them up. He didn't want to compete with Sunday liturgies but kept a Tuesday Mass. He would also regularly accompany us on our annual Christmas trip to the Messiah. The only time he missed was this last year - a sign that the end was in sight.

But he remained active more or less to the end. I remember visiting him once at his flat in south Norwood with another friend. I was surprised to see a stack of 12 chick lit novels on the sideboard. When I enquired why he needed 12 copies of the same novel he told me that he was a member of a local book club. He had read 60 books over the last 4 years he said. "Most of them I would never have read otherwise", he added with a mischievous look.

The most courteous of men, I have an abiding memory of the time when he was celebrating mass for the death of his mother. One of the parishioners, an alcoholic, who was very fond of him, came crashing in late to the service. Weeping copiously, she staggered up the aisle with a few wilted flowers to give to him. Without a beat, he came down the steps from the sanctuary to accept her offering before returning back to the liturgy. His graciousness silenced any sniggering or embarrassment. Fr David remained to the last, a man of God and a man of the people. A shepherd who lived his life close to the smell of his sheep.

I will be fascinated to see who turns up at his funeral! I hope the cathedral will be big enough.

Below are funeral details, provided by Catholic Peace Action:

A Requiem Mass will be held for Father David Standley on Thursday 25th April, 2024 at 10am at St George's Cathedral, Lambeth Road, Southwark, London SE1 6HR. This will be followed by a reception with light refreshments in the Amigo Hall (St George's Cathedral) where all are welcome after the service, to share their memories of David.

The floral tribute will consist of family flowers only. We have nominated L'Arche London for any donations, if desired, in David's memory. www.larche.org.uk/donate/donate-to-london

Directions and transport information are available here: www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/visiting-us/how-to-find-us/

The service will be streamed live and a link for that will be available nearer the time for those unable to attend in person.

Find the link for the live stream of the Requiem Mass that is being held for Fr David Standley on 25th April, 2024 at 10am here: www.funeralstream.tv/claritymedia#father-david-standley

Please feel free to pass these details on to those close to David who you think would like to know.

LINKS

Pax Christi obituary for Fr David Standley: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49547

Click here for a few writings of peace from Fr David: https://catholicpeaceaction.org/tag/fr-david-standley/