An obituary of Joe Farrelly written by Amanda C. Dickie, Honorary Press Secretary of ESBVM, has appeared here on the Independent Catholic News web site.

My entry to Chichester Theological College in 1979 to train for the priesthood brought me into contact for the first time with Canon Roger Greenacre. He had been brought to Chichester Cathedral as Canon Residentiary and Chancellor from the chaplaincy of St George’s in Paris in 1975 by Bishop Eric Kemp, an act which must have been one of his first strategic appointments as he had himself only been appointed to the diocese in 1974. Roger lectured in the Theological College from 1975 until 1989, principally, as I recall, in Church History, Liturgy, and the Sacrament of Penance. When almost out of his hearing, we referred to him as Père Roger or, more frivolously, as Gigi, such was our appraisal of him as affecting to be more French than English. How ungenerous we were in our humour! There was indeed French blood in him, but there was also a strong appreciation of France and its relationship with the English world, as well as a desire to be a bridge in his teaching and in his refined ecumenism between the two ecclesiastical cultures represented, French Catholic and Anglican. He himself contributed to this dialogue through membership of the English Anglican-Roman Catholic Committee. His The Catholic Church in France: an Introduction (1996) told the French Church’s story, presenting its character and the history of its relations with the Church of England to Anglican readers.

He was a post-Vatican II ecumenist, ready always as an Anglican to receive what was profitable from the spirit of the Council and to interpret back a broadening and more catholic and sacramental Anglicanism to which he was deeply committed. ARCIC was food and drink to him and he devoted many of his energies to promoting the ecumenical vision of Anglicanism “united but not absorbed” with Rome. Such an inspiration led him eventually to become an oblate of the Benedictine Abbey of Notre Dame du Bec in 1982, the fulfilment of a journey and a sympathy which had begun with his first visit there in 1952.

What began as the relationship between a student and his teacher in 1979 became, over the years, a friendship between colleagues. I never knew him well, I must admit, but we reached a gentle understanding. I returned to the diocese of Chichester in 1986 and held various posts thereafter, but I found myself gradually working more closely with Roger in the ecumenical field on two fronts: first, as one of a team of three diocesan Ecumenical Officers in which Roger had taken the lead as Diocesan Ecumenical Officer from 1975; and, secondly, through my membership of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which Roger had himself been a member and luminary for many years, serving with distinction on its Council to which he brought theological rigour tempered by real sensitivity as well as characteristic wit. My own interest and involvement with the Society had only just been formed at that time, having been encouraged in it by Geoffrey and Jill Pinnock whilst in my second curacy in Oxford where they were parishioners. I recall a trip south to Chichester with me as driver and Geoffrey and Jill as passengers, the purpose of which was to renew acquaintance with Roger and spend time with him in his delightful home in Vicar’s Close, off Canon Lane, in the precincts of the Cathedral, talking ESBVM.

Arriving in the diocese of Chichester in the autumn of 1986 meant that I was able to be on the spot for the Seventh International Congress of the ESBVM (September 1986) which was being held at Bishop Otter College in Chichester. We were fortunate to be so near to the Cathedral and to be able to have Arundel Cathedral as a sister venue. I found myself amongst the great and the good of British ecumenism: Bishop Eric Kemp of Chichester was one of the Society’s Executive Co-Chairman (with established ecumenical credentials, having been a member of both the Anglican-Methodist Conversations and the Preparatory Commission of ARCIC I), and Cormac Murphy-O’Connor was Bishop of Arundel and Brighton and Co-Chairman of ARCIC II. Needless to say, Roger, a Residentiary Canon, was in the thick of it as he was Chairman of the West Sussex ESBVM (in those days one of the most active of the Society’s branches), and was supported – and regularly hounded – by the indefatigable Molly Corbally who was Branch Secretary and logistical animatrice of the Congress. It was a wonderful occasion and the papers of the Chichester Congress, Mary and the Churches (edited by Dom Alberic Stacpoole, 1987) testify to the breadth of intellectual interest the ESBVM stimulated internationally twenty-five years ago. Roger himself, an ESBVM Council member, was a regular contributor to such gatherings. A paper of his worth revisiting is one he delivered at the Conference at Dromantine College, Newry, in October 1995, and one which well exemplifies both his historical ecumenical interest and the range of his scholarship, The Malines Conversations: a significant milestone in the history of Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Mary is for Everyone (edited by William McLoughlin OSM and Jill Pinnock, 1997).

Having reached his seventieth year, Roger retired from Chichester Cathedral in 2000. He was awarded a Lambeth Doctorate of Divinity by the Archbishop of Canterbury the following year in recognition of his extensive and scholarly contribution to ecumenism. Not one to be put out to grass, Roger immediately took up a retirement post as chaplain to St Michael’s, Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. How typical of Roger to find himself such an agreeable posting! Although this time was often one of ill health for him, he certainly felt that he still had a pastoral role to play amongst the English community there as well as continuing to write and to study. He returned to England in 2010 and spent his last year at the London Charterhouse.

Two last occasions come to mind. The first was the celebration of his 50th anniversary of ordination as a priest in Chichester Cathedral in September 2005 at which Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran preached – “surely the first curial cardinal to fly to England from the Vatican to preach at a celebration of Anglican priestly ministry?” comments Dr Colin Podmore, Roger’s literary executor, in another appreciation elsewhere. In this he goes on to remind us of a warm personal greeting from the Archbishop of Canterbury read out at that singular occasion in which he praised Roger as representing “a particular style of Catholic Anglicanism that is deeply rooted in liturgy and personal prayer, critical and generous all at once” (New Directions, September 2011, p.14). The second occasion (and, for my wife and me, the last sight of Roger before he was physically diminished by terminal illness) was Bishop Eric Kemp’s Funeral Mass in Chichester Cathedral in December 2009. Here Roger and others kept vigil before Bishop Eric’s body as it lay before the Shrine of St Richard, a typically prayerful and generous act from one who owed so many debts to his former Father in God, and of whom Roger had been a devoted and loyal supporter through many ups and downs in Anglican Church life.

Roger’s memory was honoured at a Memorial Requiem in Chichester Cathedral on 23rd September at 11.30 am. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom Roger honoured in his life and in his work for the unity of her Son’s followers, pray for him as he enters into the peace of God’s saints.

Joe Farrelly had the gift of making amazing warmth and generosity seem quite natural, particularly in ecumenism. I joined the ESBVM about 22 years ago, by word of a friend and invitation from Joe. The same natural warmth and inclusion at its heart held me in the Society at times when it was not quite so easy for one of the first ordained Anglican women. I have always felt enormous gratitude to Joe for this.

Joe had a clear grasp of matters great and small. I remember his talking about the need to be civil to telephoning cold-callers, who are ‘only doing a job’. His perceptiveness was always accompanied by a strong humanity, in turn inspired by deep devotion. He was a Chaucerian ‘verray parfit gentil knyght’.

Joe Farrelly, who died on 31st August, became the second great enabler and inspiration of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, following in the footsteps of Martin Gillett who had founded the Society in 1967. Both were Catholic layman and both had an incredible network of significant contacts on which they could call both inside and outside of their own Christian tradition. Martin Gillett was a English Catholic convert where Joe Farrelly was a cradle Irish Catholic. Beyond his wise and pastoral gifts as a devoted schoolmaster were Joe’s commitments to the cause of the Catholic Marian societies and Catholic agencies dedicated to those in need. Like Martin Gillett, Joe believed that Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Reformed and Methodist theologians and thinkers – clergy and laity alike – could be serious, spiritual and critical together about the place of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the worship, reflection and dialogue of all the mainstream churches. Often graciously and amusingly critical of those inside the leadership of his own tradition it was out of his deep and loyal Catholicism that Joe formed lasting relationships with church leaders and shakers across the Christian spectrum. He had an eye for the deep ecumenists within Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and in the Reformed traditions. He had close friends within British Methodism, and for almost twenty years attended the Annual Low Weekend Conference of the Methodist Sacramental Fellowship. He was above all an encourager who built on the potential he saw in the young – ordained and lay. Joe’s outstanding service to British Roman Catholicism and to the crucial place of Mary in ecumenical devotion and dialogue rightly earned him the recognition of a Papal knighthood. He was never happier than being part of an ecumenical pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. His anecdotal memory of the unofficial history of more than eight decades of English Catholicism, as he relayed it to Christians of all traditions, was a joy to experience. Joe was totally supported in his life and work by his widow Ann, much loved in a family that has not been without its sorrows and will continue to be held with love in the memory and prayers of his friends.

Norman Wallwork

2nd September 2011

ESBVM learns with sadness of the death earlier today of Joe Farrelly K.C.S.G., longtime and dedicated member of the Society, its Council and Executive. May his soul rest in peace and may Our Lady pray for him.

The funeral is to be at St Elphege [Joe’s parish church], 120 Stafford Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9AY. Tel/Fax: 020 8647 5079 on September 22nd 2011 at 10.00am.

ESBVM learns with sadness of the death of Canon Roger Greenacre, longtime friend and member of the Society. May his soul rest in peace and may Our Lady pray for him.

A tribute to Canon Greenacre can be found on the web site of the Diocese of Europe.

ESBVM learns with sadness of the death of Mgr Richard Rutt, longtime member and friend of the Society. May his soul rest in peace and may Our Lady pray for him.

A committed Ecumenist, Bishop Michael, was a member of the British Catholic/Methodist Committee from 1991, appointed as a member of the International Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council in 1996 and following his ordination as Bishop was appointed Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Committee for Dialogue and Christian Unity. His knowledge, commitment and contribution to dialogue with the Methodist communion was immense and made a special contribution to the area of ecumenism which has been the brief of the ESBVM since its inception 45 years ago next year. As Chairman of the Committee responsible for dialogue with other faiths, Bishop Michael found himself serving alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams and other members of national Christian leadership by whom he was much respected. At a local level, his relationships with leaders of other Churches and faiths were always marked by warmth and genuine friendship which was reflected in beautiful tributes from The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Rev Graham James, The Bishop of Ely, Rt Rev Stephen Conway, Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese joined others in expressing a view that all the Church of England Bishops in the eastern region valued hugely Bishop Michael’s companionship and willingness to walk with others in the Christian pilgrimage. Rev Simon Wilson, county ecumenical officer at Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney, and Graham Thompson, chair of the East Anglia district of the Methodist Church, along with others of all Christian traditions and faith communities paid tribute to him.

The ESBVM Conference held at Aylesford Carmelite Priory in 2006 was the setting for an at-times heated discussion of the ARCIC Statement on Mary – Grace and Hope in Christ during which Bishop Michael Evans of East Anglia, who was generous with his time at ESBVM conference even though he had begun treatment for cancer, offered the first paper in which he admonished his fellows for seeing the document merely as a further indication that Anglicans were moving nearer to Rome; it was in fact he urged a call to Roman Catholics to review their own position in terms of mental and devotional attitudes, and to accept and seek insights from other Christians. He himself had taken part in discussions with Methodists on the same subject, producing a document which had been accepted as authoritative for all Methodists internationally, and he commended it as a valuable counterpart.

The focus of his last East Anglia Diocesan Pilgrimage in which he took part was the Solemnity of St. George, Patron Saint of England this year marked on 2nd May. In Bishop Michael Evans’ homily he suggested we all needed the gift of courage, in order to be faithful disciples and pilgrims of Jesus Christ. He said it did not require much courage to walk the ‘Holy Mile’ of Walsingham, which is the great national Marian shrine within the Diocese of East Anglia, unless, like him, you could not see where you were going! [Bishop Michael’s health had been in steady decline for some months]. Walsingham has a major significance for the ESBVM and perhaps for ecumenists and members of the ESBVM currently reflecting on the future of the society not seeing where we are going requiring courage could serve as a useful metaphor. Bishop Michael referred to the youthful Student Cross Holy Week Pilgrimage to the same shrine, but he said he remembered also, those who over 950 years had walked across England to get to the Holy Land of England’s Nazareth at Walsingham, sometimes attacked by bandits and others as they walked together. This often required real courage, as shown by St. George and martyrs across the ages. Bishop Michael showed an admirable courage to the end and we pray that he may come to that full share in the Resurrection in the hope of which we ourselves live. Our lady of Walsingham, pray for Bishop Michael and for us.

Father Bill, OSM Hon General Secretary

The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary [often referred to as ESBVM] has been saddened to learn of the death of the Right Rev’d Bishop Mervyn Alexander, Bishop Emeritus of Clifton who was a founder member of the society and one of its patrons since becoming a Bishop.

When he celebrated his own Diamond Jubilee of priestly ordination on 28th Oct 2008 at a celebratory meal held in his honour at Clifton Cathedral to which the Hon Gen Sec was invited he spoke of his certainty that the Blessed Virgin Mary was a needed presence in all ecumenical exchange since she has been at the heart of the church ever since its beginning.. Father Bill, OSM presented Bishop Mervyn with a gift and congratulatory card from the ESBVM on that occasion and expressed the society’s continuing deep regard for their patron who was one of the three founding co-chairmen of the ESBVM.  This deep esteem for Bishop Mervyn continues as we reflect at this moment of his passing on the eve of the Assumption on a life rich in example and inspiration to so many.

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great moment when we remember that the point of following Jesus is one day ourselves to enter into his glory with Him. Our Lady, The Blessed Virgin Mary is a sure sign that this can be done when one faithfully follows Her Son. From the moment she said “let it be done to me” she was on the way and she got there and encourages us to ‘Do whatever he tells you’ to achieve the same goal. Bishop Mervyn addressed the society on more than one occasion and we especially remember his encouragement of the society when it held in Bristol its 11^th International Congress in 1996. Sometimes among Christians, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been regarded as a source of division and misunderstanding. Bishop Mervyn didn’t think that should be so and his engagement in ecumenical work with the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary showed his belief and conviction that reconciliation among Christians needed a sound understanding of the Virgin and her place in the church and a truly ecumenical devotion to the Mother of the Lord. The society has been strengthened in this area of Ecumenism by the part Bishop Mervyn played in such a significant way and we give thanks for his having been among us.

Members of the society in the Bristol/Bath area may be helped to know that the Bishop’s mortal remains will be received in Clifton Cathedral by the Dean and Cathedral Chapter on Sunday 22^nd August at 17.30 and the Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday 24^th August at 11.30am May he rest in Peace.

Our sincere apologies to Mr Bernard V. A. Woods of Co Dublin, Republic of Ireland and current Chairman of the Dublin Branch for the erroneous report of his demise in the August ESBVM Newsletter which seems to have arisen as a confusion of information.

The report is premature as he is still happily with us. His dear wife Anita’s death had been recorded earlier by the Society RIP. We deeply regret any distress caused to friends in this misreporting. Our only hope is that Bernard will see himself ranked now with the famous Mark Twain who said ‘The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.’