Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth

Obituaries

Most Rev. Paul Verdzekov, Archbishop emeritus of Bamenda, RIP 26-01-10

It was a shock to receive confirmation from two sources that Archbishop Paul Verdzekov, the retired Archbishop of Bamenda, died yesterday 26th January 2010, aged 79. His mortal remains have been taken to the mortuary at Shisong Hospital. Archbishop Paul was born at Shisong (in what is now the Kumbo Diocese of the NW Region of Cameroon) on 22nd January 1931.

It was he who with the late Archbishop Derek Worlock, in 1974 first set up the twinning between Bamenda and Portsmouth.

Only a week before he died, during a visit to Bamenda of a delegation of our Diocesan Committee, I visited him at his modest retirement home in Ntasen, on the outskirts of Bamenda town. He had asked to be remembered to all the priests and laypeople of Portsmouth Diocese.

When I received his farewell blessing, little did I know that it was a final farewell.

MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

From Mgr. Ron Hishon, Chair Portsmouth Bamenda Committee

Deacon Peter Lattey RIP 1941 - 27-10-09

Peter was well known not only as a deacon in Fleet but as the Assistant Director of the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, a former Diocesan Trustee and a former Provincial President of the Catenians.

He spent his working life in insurance. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Crispian in 1998 . In this role he was a mainstay in the parish pastorally, liturgically and spiritually, always constant in being alert to the “signs of the times” He was married to Sue who is an Anglican Priest and had two children and four grandchildren.

His Funeral Mass at Fleet was celebrated by Bishop Crispian, Bishop Walmsley to whom Peter acted as Secretary when he was Bishop to the Forces, and priests from the diocese assisted by some of Peter’s fellow deacons. There was a large congregation including many from other churches in the town and a number of Catenians.

In his homily Bishop Crispian referred to the role of deacons in the Church and said that Peter was a prayerful man called by the Lord. He was indeed a good and faithful servant. He mentioned in particular Peter’s service to the Lourdes Pilgrimage which this year he organised himself in a spirit of gentleness and loving service.

In his last article for the Parish Newsletter written the day before he died Peter reflected that “All Saints Day gives us a glimpse into our own glorious future, our eternal destiny which has to be worked out in love and service here on earth”. The article ended “We pray that one day this will be our feast as well.” May he rest in peace.

Fr Charles Ayward RIP 01-06-09

Fr Charlie Aylward died on Monday 1st June 2009 in hospital in Worthing. He was 85 and had just celebrated 60 years as a priest. He was born on May 1st 1924, ordained on 26th May 1949 at the Abbey of Nunraw. He was incardinated into our diocese in 1970 and served in Crowthorne (1968-1971) and Woolston (1971-1977) as an assistant priest. He served as parish priest in St Edmund Campion, Bournemouth (1977-1981), St Joseph, Copnor (1981-1983), St Bernard, Holbury (1983-1989), Sacred Heart, Hook (1989-1994) and St Anne, Alderney (1994-1999).