Cardinal McKeefry dies at 74

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33386, 19 November 1973, Page 1

Cardinal McKeefry dies at 74

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 18. Peter, Cardinal McKeefry, Archbishop of Wellington, died in WfelHngfo»-today. He is believed to have suffered a heart attack, and was found dead, slumped over his office desk*. He was 74.

His body will lie in state in St Mary of the Angels Church until Wednesday, when the funeral service will be conducted. He will be buried in the priests’ plot at the Karori Lawn Cemetery.

Cardinal McKeefry, who was elevated to the position in 1969, had visited a sick priest at the Home of Compassion in Wellington this afternoon, and had returned to his office to work. His body was found some time later. The Governor-General (Sir Denis Blundell) and the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) this evening paid tribute to the work of Cardinal McKeefry. In a telegram to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington (the Rt Rev. O. N. Snedden), the GovernorGeneral said: “Would you please convey our profound sympathy to the family of his Eminence, Peter, Cardinal McKeefry, and to his church, to which he gave a lifetime of devoted service. All New Zealanders and many beyond our shores will join with us in mourning his passing.” P.M.’S MESSAGE Mr Kirk said: “Cardinal McKeefry was a much beloved and respected man. His death will bring sorrow to thousands of homes throughout New Zealand. Throughout his life he was approachable, down to earth, kindly, and sympathetic to all. He was an outstanding

man who served with great devotion and ability.” Cardinal Peter Thomas Bertram McKeefry 7 was born in Greymouth. His father, a native of County Derry in Northern Ireland, was a sergeant of police. Cardinal McKeefry was one of a family of seven children—and for a year when his father was on transfer attended the Marist Brothers School in Christchurch. After a four-year course in theology in Rome at the Propaganda College, Cardinal McKeefry was ordained there at Easter, 1926. He was appointed to the Auckland diocese, his first post being as assistant curate at St Patrick’s Cathedral. He was then appointed secretary to Bishop Cleary, under whom he served until the bishop’s death in 1929. He continued as secretary to Bishop Cleary’s successor, Bishop Liston. In 1929, he was appointed assistant editor of the "Month,” and in 1930 became editor, remaining in that post

until 1936, when the paper was renamed “Zealandia.” He became diocesan secretary in Auckland in 1935. In July, 1947, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington with right of succession to Archbishop. On the death of Archbishop O’Shea in 1954, he succeeded to the See. He was a member of the Second Vatican Council in 1960, and was proclaimed a Cardinal in 1969. Cardinal McKeefry was a man intensely spiritual in his approach to religion. -During the latter period of his life he was a frequent visitor to Rome. But he always remembered his humble origins on the West Coast.