PRIEST'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 66, 18 March 1936, Page 5

PRIEST'S DEATH.

FATHER DIGNAN, OF THAMES,

The death occurred yesterday at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital of the Reverend Father Ferdinand Dignan, who, since May, 191fi, had been parish priest of Thames. Father Dignan was 57 years of age a lid 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. He was appointed curate at St. Benedict's Church, Auckland, in January, 1904, and in 1900 was appointed curate at Gisborne. 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 wa£ appointed parish priest of Thames, a position he occupied up to the time of his death. In 1929 Father Dignan celebrated liia silver jubilee at Thames, and on that occasion Bishop Clearv 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 Digna.n.