GOLDEN JUBILEE OF PRIEST

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 3

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF PRIEST

FORMEK WEST COAST RESIDENT

The fiftieth jubilee of his ordination to 'the Catholic priesthood was celebrated recently by the Rev. Father W. J. Lockington, S.J., a former West Coast resident and a son of pioneer residents who arrived in the district 60 years ago.

The eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Elisha Lockington (Reefton), Father Lockington ■ was born at Ross, and before entering the priesthood taught school at Ross and in the Reefton district. He was ordained in Sydney and for many years was the principal of the largest Catholic boys’ college in Australia, Riverview College, Sydney. He also served in educational institutions in Limerick, Ireland, and Stonyhurst, England, and for two years was engaged by the Vatican for a special mission in America.

Author, teacher, orator, and theologian, Father Lockington was the guest of honour at a function in honour of his golden jubilee, at which the principal speaker was Archbishop Mannix, of Melbourne. During* recent years Father Lockington has been parish priest' at St. Ignatius Church, Richmond, Australia. Messrs George and Harry Lockington, of Reefton, and Mr E. Lockington (Westport) are his brothers.