ESBVM

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.

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.