Obituaries & Tributes

Angelo Gugel, who served as the Papal Chamber Assistant to Popes John Paul I, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, has died in Rome at the age of 90 after decades in service of the Popes, including standing beside John Paul II during the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. For half a century, between the closing years of the twentieth century and the dawn of the new millennium, Angelo Gugel served t... Read More

Jesuits in Britain write: It is with sadness that we report that Fr Simon Bishop SJ, died on Sunday evening, 4 January 2026. Fr Simon was 58 years old, in the 33rd year of Religious life. He was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 28 March 1967 to his father George, who died on 30 November 2001 and his mother, Dawn. He was the youngest of four children. Simon was baptised at St Peter's church, Oys... Read More

It is with sadness we announce the death of Fr Edward Carroll on Sunday 4 January, peacefully at St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney. Fr Teave, as he was known by many, was admitted to St Joseph's on Wednesday afternoon for end of life care. Before that he was living at Nazareth House in Finchley where he was cared for by the Sisters, staff and Chaplain, Fr Terry Tastard. At St Joseph's the staff and C... Read More

The following tribute was given to Fr John Buckley by his niece Marian Williamson, during his Requiem Mass on Saturday, 6 December at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Ann in Cork. Good morning, everyone, and welcome. I would like to thank you all for being here today to join us in celebrating Father John's life in Christ. Father John was born in Dominic Street in Cork on the 12th of May, 1939. He ... Read More

The death has occurred of Fr John Buckley in Cork, on December 3rd 2025 peacefully at Marymount, in the presence of his loving family. Fr John, who served for years with the St Patrick's Missionary Society, Kiltegan, in Nigeria and also in the Dioceses of Westminster and Portsmouth, was brother of the late Bernadette, Theresa, Julia (Forsythe) and Margaret. Fondly remembered by his loving nieces,... Read More

We join the prayers for the repose of the soul of Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop Emeritus of Brentwood Diocese, who died earlier this week. Bishop Thomas was a great supporter of Pax Christi and one of our Vice Presidents for a number of years. Even before he became a Vice President, he was involved in setting up a J&P Commission in his Diocese which worked with us on the campaign for a Compre... Read More

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop Emeritus of Brentwood Diocese, who died peacefully at his home in Stock at 10 am this morning. May he rest in peace. Bishop Thomas McMahon, the sixth and to date the longest-serving Bishop of Brentwood, was born at Dorking, Surrey, on 17 June 1936. An identical twin, he was born of Irish parents who had emigrated to England an... Read More

The annual remembrance service organised by the Combined Irish Regiments Association took place on 6th November at St Patrick and All Saints of Ireland Chapel, overspilling into the main body of Westminster Cathedral. Always held on the Thursday before Remembrance Sunday, this year the service fell on the Feast Day of All Saints of Ireland. Former Vicar General of the British Army, Mgr Phelim Rowl... Read More

Many friends gathered at the church of Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town, north London yesterday, for the funeral of Martin O'Brien. A much-loved figure, Martin died two weeks ago after an illness. He was 77. The Mass was celebrated by parish priest Fr Alan Alvarado Gil with former parish priest Fr Tom Forde and Fr Dominic Ryan OP from Oxford. Born in Ireland in 1948, Martin was orphaned... Read More

Hugh George McGill b. Airdrie, 1951 - 2025 Peacefully, surrounded by his family, fortified by the Rites of the Holy Catholic Church. Beloved husband of Maria, devoted father of Julia, Caroline and Pamela, and much-loved grandfather of Edmund, Rufus, Harry and Imogen. From the pitch at Hampden Park, where he played as centre-forward for Queen's Park FC, to classrooms and boardrooms across the wor... Read More

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the deaths of seven Columbans in the Korean War. Historian Mairéad O'Brien writes about three of the seven who were killed in the Taejon Massacre. The 24th of September 2025 was the 75th anniversary of the Massacre at Taejon, which took place during the early months of the Korean War (1950-1953). Among the 1,000 people killed by Communist forces were three ... Read More

A Memorial Service To Celebrate the Life of the Earl of Sandwich - John Sandwich took place yesterday, September 16th 2025, in St Margaret's, Parliament's Parish Church, Westminster. In the absence of Lord Alton, because of his spinal fracture and other injuries, his Tribute was read by the Convenor of the Crossbench Peers, the Earl of Kinnoull. Celebrating the Life of John Sandwich. On February ... Read More

In a message sent to His Majesty King Charles III, Pope Leo XIV has expressed his "heartfelt condolences" and "prayerful closeness" to the King, the Duke of Kent, and the Royal Family as they attended the Requiem Mass for Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, in Westminster Cathedral today, Tuesday 18 September. The Holy Father gave thanks to God for "the Duchess's legacy of Christian goodness, seen in ... Read More

Tributes have been pouring for Professor Conor Gearty, who died suddenly, on Thursday, 11 September. He was 67. Born in Co Longford, Dr Gearty was a leading human rights academic, barrister and author. He was professor of human rights law in the faculty of law at the London School of Economics (LSE). The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: "So sad to hear this news. Conor Gearty was not only a brill... Read More