Mass for deceased clergy 2025
A Mass to pray for deceased clergy was celebrated at St George’s Cathedral
Archbishop John Wilson celebrated Mass for deceased clergy in the Archdiocese of Southwark.
Archbishop John said “we celebrate Holy Mass today for our deceased brother priests and deacons who have died in the last year”.
It is with gratitude, the Archbishop said, we remember their ministry and the service they gave to their communities.
Archbishop John said “we come to pray for the eternal repose of their souls, for a merciful judgement, and that the Lord will share with them the fulness and joy of eternal life.
Reflecting on the lives of the brother priest and deacons who have died, Archbishop John said: “we give thanks to Almighty God for their witness, for their faith and their generosity”.
Archbishop John said:
“Each of our brothers, we pray, we hope, finds the fullness of life in Christ. Humanly, of course, when someone dies – we grieve. But as Christians, we never grieve without hope.
“The Lord Jesus’ words to Martha, are words for our brothers, and they're words for all of us. ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet he shall live’.
“Do you believe this? With Martha, we say: Yes, Lord. We believe! We believe you have conquered death”.
You can watch Archbishop John’s homily in full back via our YouTube channel.
Archbishop John read out the names of the clergy the Archdiocese has lost this year:
- Fr Patrick Haywood
- Fr John Ryan
- Fr Sunith Nonis
- Monsignor Canon John O’Toole
- Canon Francis Leo Mooney
- Fr Bernard Heaphy
- Deacon Simon Cockshutt
- Fr Paddy Cannon
- Fr John Lawrence
- Fr Wenna Henry Tiku
- Deacon Jim Sheahan
- Bishop John Hine
Please pray for all the clergy who have died in our Archdiocese and give thanks to God for their service.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
