Obituaries & Tributes

Some people are natural leaders, while others have the ability to put distressed and vulnerable people at ease, offering them comfort and compassion. However, it is rare to find someone who combines both characteristics. With the death of Mama Lambert last week, Rwanda has lost such a unique person. Until 1994, Beata Mukarubuga was a teacher in Rwanda, living with her husband and their eight child... Read More

Today, on the 45th anniversary of John Bradburne's death, we remember a man who dedicated his life to serving others with extraordinary humility and love. John Bradburne, a British layman, missionary, and poet, chose to live among the people living with leprosy at Mutemwa in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where he became a beacon of hope and compassion. His life was marked by a profound spirituality, de... Read More

The Requiem Mass for Archbishop Noël Treanor was celebrated on Tuesday, in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Belfast, followed by interment afterwards in the 'Chapel of the Resurrection' of the Cathedral. The Chief Celebrant was Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor. Principal Concelebrants were Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Arthur Roche,... Read More

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has expressed his sorrow, prayers, and condolences having learned of the death of Archbishop Noël Treanor, the Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Archbishop Treanor, a former Bishop of Down and Connor in Northern Ireland, attended the Holy Land Co-Ordination for... Read More

On behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, I wish to express my sadness at the news of the death yesterday of Archbishop Noël Treanor RIP, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Like so many others, I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noël's premature passing. At this sad time for all who knew him across Ireland, Europe and throughout the universal Church, I join wit... Read More

Archbishop Noël Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, at the age of 73. COMECE President Mgr Crociata: "We have lost a true man of dialogue who passionately and creatively accompanied EU integration from a Catholic perspective." "With deep sorrow, we have learned of the passing of our brother, Monsignor Noel Treanor. On beha... Read More

John died peacefully on the evening of Saturday 27 July in his 87th year, after a few days of hospice care following a lengthy decline in health. Born in Malta and qualified as a marine engineer, he was a well-liked parishioner at St Simon Stock's church in Walderslade near Chatham, Kent, having arrived there to work in one of the companies providing design services to the former Royal Dockyard. F... Read More

"Justin had a passion for justice and a deep belief in the dignity and rights of every human being which drove and defined him." Caoimhe de Barra, Trócaire CEO It was with great sadness that we learned that former Executive Director of Trócaire Justin Kilcullen has passed away. Justin joined Trócaire in 1981 and worked for many years in Africa and Asia. Justin was appointed Executive Director ... Read More

Anne Vickery, aged 98, passed peacefully in her sleep on June 23rd, 2024. Anne was a beloved sister, aunt, friend, and community member and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Anne was born on June 24, 1925 in Surrey to Nora Neef and Fredrick Vickery. Her brother Walter Vickery was born four years earlier in 1921. Anne and her brother spent much time on the farm of her grandmother, Anne Ha... Read More

Father Hugh Seenan, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Great Britain from the Society of the Missionaries of Africa announced the return to the Lord of Father Edward Woo - (known to many as 'Fr Eddie') on Sunday, 9th June 2024 in London. Fr Eddie was 85 years old. He served as a missionary for 55 years in Tanzania, Kenya and Great Britain. Let us pray for him and for his loved ones. His Funeral ... Read More

The Filipino people and especially the Christian churches, have to take a truthful examination of conscience when faced with the shocking truth that at least 30,000 Filipinos were victims of summary execution and more suffered harsh imprisonment without due process, when the rule of law was ignored during the Duterte administration. It was not unknown, it was announced by the candidate before the ... Read More

Mgr Martin Hayes, Vicar General in the Diocese of Westminster: I write with the sad news of the death early this morning, Tuesday 14 May 2024, of Fr Francis Wahle. Fr Francis died peacefully at University College Hospital in London on the Feast of St Matthias, Apostle. Fr Francis was born in Vienna, Austria in August 1929 and ordained to the priesthood at Palazzola, Rome July 1965 and had been ret... Read More

The Archdiocese of Glasgow has announced the death of Fr Desmond Broderick, who was 'a hugely popular pastor.' Fr Broderick was born in Glasgow in 1924 and educated at St Conval's Primary School and Holyrood Secondary School, and at St Mary's College, Blairs. He was called up for army service during World War II. Following army service, Fr Broderick resumed his seminary training and was ordained i... Read More

Joseph Nangle, OFM, writes: The outpouring of tributes and the celebratory funeral liturgy for Bishop Tom Gumbleton bring deep thoughts about the Catholic priesthood which he so well represented. Even had he not become a bishop, Tom would be remembered for his commitment to his priestly vocation and the effect it had on thousands of people. Father (Bishop) Gumbleton will live in our memories as a... Read More