I am very saddened at the news of the death of the V.Rev. John Canon Finn. After
four months struggling in hospital and nursing home, Canon John finally committed
his immortal soul to the God he loved and served so well.When I visited him,just
over a week ago, in Mount Desert Nursing Home, he told me that he had little
time left. Little did I know that he would be called by the Lord so quickly.
I sincerely regret that I am not able to celebrate his funeral Mass today, as
I am in Rome to attend the First Anniversary Mass of the Servant of God, Pope
John Paul II, which takes place today in St. Peter's.
Canon Finn has given outstanding Priestly service right from the moment he
was ordained on the 22nd of June 1941. During his almost sixty-five years of
faithful
Priestly ministry he has served in ten Parishes of the Diocese of Cloyne until
his retirement in 1995. But Canon John did not think of retiring completely.
He than moved to Ministry in the Diocese of Cork and Ross and right up to his
final illness he served and endeared himself to the people of the Parish of
Ovens/Farran. Throughout he has given an extraordinary example of Priesthood
and Pastoral Ministry. May the Lord Jesus now reward him as only He knows how.
I wish to express to Canon John's wide and extensive family my deepest
sympathy on the death of such a renowned family member. I shall offer Holy Mass
for him today in Rome. I also express to all the Priests, Religious and lay-faithful
of the Diocese of Cloyne, and indeed to the Bishop, Priests and people of the
Diocese of Cork and Ross, my brotherly sympathies as I commend the noble soul
of this genuine Priest to God's Mercy and Goodness.
Canon John, rest in the Peace of the Lord and may you continue to sing, as
you
have done all your life, and this embellish to heavenly Liturgy in the eternal
Praise of the Lord.
+John Magee.
Bishop of Cloyne.