PRIEST'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 13

PRIEST'S DEATH.

FATHER DIGNAN, OF THAMES

The death occurred this morning at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital of the Reverend Father Ferdinand Dignan, who, since May, 1910,, has been parish priest of Thames. Father Dignan was 57 years of age and had been confined to hospital for three weeks. Born on January 20, 1879, at County Roscommon, Ireland, Father Dignan studied at St. Patrick's College, Carlow. He was ordained in June, 1904, and came to New Zealand, arriving at Auckland the following November. Ho was appointed curate at St. Benedict's Church, Auckland, in January, 1904, and in 1900 was appointed curate at Giflborne. The following year he was

appointed parish' priest at Ormond, and in February, 1912, was made administrator of the Thames district. In May, 1910, he was appointed parish priest of Thames, a position he occupied up to the time of his death. In 1929 Father Dignan celebrated his silver jubilee at Thames, and on that occasion Bishop Cleary. expressed the high regard in which Father Dignan was held. His Lordship said Father Dignan had ever been a true priest and his life had been dedicated to God and the pastoral care of his flock. A presentation of 200 guineas was made to Father Dignan. • - Solemn Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Thames to-morrow at 11 a.m., when his Lordship Bishop Liston will preside. The funeral will take place immediately afterwards in the Totara Cemetery.