DEATH OF FATHER BARRY, C.SS.R.

New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1919, Page 28

DEATH OF FATHER BARRY, C.SS.R.

Soon after we had gone to press last week, we were notified of the death of the Rev. Father Walter Barry, C.SS.R., who passed away on Wednesday morning, July 16, at the Redemptorist Monastery of St. Gerard;Hawker Street, Wellington. For three years and a-half Father Barry had been suffering from acute heart disease, though the thought of sudden death did not detract from his geniality. On December 28, 1916, Father Barry celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1842, he entered the great ecclesiastical college of Maynooth in 1861 ; but, owing to the urgent demand for priests, he was recalled and ordained at St. Peter’s College, Wexford, by the late Dr. Furlong. For many years he worked as a secular priest in his native diocese of Ferns, but in 1876 entered the Redemptorist Mission, and was professed a member of the Congregation on September 8, 1877. During the 40 years that Father Barry spent in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, his life was one of strenuous activity, most of his labors being in the Old Country, where he devoted himself to the reformation and salvation of many who were victims of circumstances and surroundings in the densely populated districts of England and Scotland. In 1894 Father Barry was sent, at his own desire, to Australia to devote his energies to assisting the emigrant Irish of the South Seas. Several times Father Barry had been Rector of Redemptorist communities, and to have known him was to have admired him for his brilliant conversational powers and his knowledge of men and events, together with a charming personality which the advance of years only intensified and embellished. The body was removed to St. Gerard’s Church on. 1 hursday evening, where a short service was held. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at 9 a.m. on Friday, and the interment took place immediately after at Karori.—R.l.P.