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OBITUARIES 61

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Although not Old Ratcliffians, the priests named below had a strong connection with Ratcliffe.

FR JOE MULLEN IC
happy at Birstall, and the parishioners took to him readily, rapidly
appreciating his quick wit. He was a frequent visitor to Ratcliffe,
1947 - 2016 helping out with confessions, and he also took part in the Sixth
Form Religious Studies classes. Working locally, he got to know
Fr Joe Mullen was born in many Ratcliffe families, and he maintained contact with several
Huddersfield in 1947. His early of them during his extensive travels whilst working in formation
years (during which time, he did for the Order.
not enjoy particularly good health)
were spent in Surbiton, until he In 1990, Fr Joe was transferred to the parish of Dollis Hill in
joined the Rosminian Novitiate at North London for five years, and then back to St Peter’s, Cardiff,
Wadhurst, Sussex, in 1969. He was as parish priest. In 1997, his life took a different direction and
ordained to the priesthood in 1977 he was decreed to India, where he helped with the formation of
in his home parish of St Raphael’s, the young novices and scholastics. As a formator, he enthused
Surbiton, and immediately went on the young religious with his lively discussion and his ability to
to St Peter’s, Cardiff, as an assistant relate to the young people on their level. His skills in the area
priest. His first appearance in the of formation took him to Ngong in Kenya, and then on to Porta
Nottingham Diocese was in 1982, when he was appointed parish Latina, our House of Studies in Rome. His second stint locally
priest at St Theresa’s, Birstall. After two years, he was asked was as Chaplain to Loughborough University; he took up this
to go and help in a Rosminian school - St Peter’s, in Gore, New appointment in 2010 and endeared himself to the students with
Zealand - being put in charge of the boarding hostel there for his wit, sense of humour and keen mind.
twelve months; after that, he returned to Birstall for a further
five years. His death in St Alban’s, Cardiff, on January 14th 2016 was
sudden, but not unexpected. May he rest in peace.
His time at Birstall saw the building of the present parish church
and the building up of the parish community. Fr Joe was very Br Nigel Cave (72)

FR JOHN DOMAN IC Centre in disused buildings in

the parish; a visit to its website
1946 - 2014 (www.rosminicentrewisbech.org)
shows what a boon it has become
Fr John was born in Amritsar, India, in 1946. He was a member to the people of the town, and it
of the Sikh community, but, upon coming into contact with is a fine testimonial to his lifelong
the Rosminian Fathers in Tanzania, he soon expressed a desire ministry.
to become a Catholic and join the Order. This was a bold
and courageous step which brought him to England and his His only period of ministry at the
reception into the Church in 1965. Old Ratcliffians of that period College began in 2012, following a period of intensive treatment
might remember Fr John; he worked as a layman, as a laboratory for cancer, when he was appointed Administrator of the Rosmini
technician, before entering the novitiate at Wadhurst. The Centre House of Prayer. During the two years that he spent
principal reason for doing this work was so that he would be able there, he was often called upon to assist in the local parishes,
to repay his parents for their loan to come to England to join the and his kindly and gentle nature won him the affection of many
Order - it was characteristic of the man. people who came to appreciate his wisdom. In 2014, he fell ill
once more with cancer and died later that year at the Rosmini
Fr John was a student at Derrys Wood, Guildford, the House of Centre, on September 30th. His funeral was notable for two
Studies, and was eventually ordained to the priesthood in 1982. things in particular: firstly, the presence of several members of
He was posted to St Peter’s, Cardiff, for eight years, and then the Indian Province (in a sense, his spiritual sons, now ordained
began his mission in India, where he became the Regional Superior and working in the Gentili Province), along with a very welcome
in 1995. In many ways, Fr John was the founder of what is now turnout of Rosminian brethren from Ireland, including the Fr
the thriving Province of India (indeed, one of his novices, Fr Binu, General emeritus, Fr Jim Flynn; and, secondly, the large number
is Rector of the Rosmini Centre here at Ratcliffe). On his return to of members of the Sikh community who joined with his family to
the UK in 2003, he served briefly in St Alban’s, Cardiff, and then bid their farewells.
became parish priest at Wisbech in the Diocese of East Anglia.
There, he set about with his customary enthusiasm and flair, Fr John is buried in the College cemetery. May he rest in peace.
and with the aid of the local community and local government-
sponsored funding, he was able to establish the Rosmini Br Nigel Cave (72)

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