The Deacon's Bench
From New Zealand:
Hundreds of parishioners watched in shock as a Catholic priest died at the altar during mass, moments after baptising a baby.
Napier’s longest-serving priest, Monsignor Timothy Francis Hannigan, 81, collapsed at the altar during communion at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Sunday.
A doctor and nurses in the packed church rushed to help the popular priest when he slumped to the ground about 9.30am, but he died by the altar of the church where he had served for more than 30 years.
“It’s one thing for a priest to die in a church, but it’s a whole other thing for him to die during communion,” a parishioner who did not wish to be named said yesterday.
The congregation continued to pray as his body was taken away. Some also recited a rosary.
Former St Patrick’s parish priest Father Paul Kerridge said Monsignor Hannigan had taken mass as usual, and had just finished baptising a baby and blessing the parents when he fell to the floor.
It was believed he died after a cardiac arrest.
The energetic priest had not shown any previous signs of illness, and was fine during the sermon, Father Kerridge said.
His loss would be keenly felt.
“I would say everyone in the parish would consider him their next of kin. He was like a brother.”
Parishioner Ross Allan said those who were there were shocked by what they saw unfolding.
“One moment he had baptised a child … then the next moment there was all this commotion up the front of the church. It was a very unusual situation.”
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him…
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