Posted on 04/29/2013 1:11:48 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Hundreds of parishioners watched in shock as a Catholic priest died at the altar during mass, moments after baptising a baby.
Napier's longest-serving priest, Monsignor Timothy Francis Hannigan, 81, collapsed at the altar during communion at St Patrick's Catholic Church on Sunday.
A doctor and nurses in the packed church rushed to help the popular priest when he slumped to the ground about 9.30am, but he died by the altar of the church where he had served for more than 30 years.
"It's one thing for a priest to die in a church, but it's a whole other thing for him to die during communion," a parishioner who did not wish to be named said yesterday.
The congregation continued to pray as his body was taken away. Some also recited a rosary.
Former St Patrick's parish priest Father Paul Kerridge said Monsignor Hannigan had taken mass as usual, and had just finished baptising a baby and blessing the parents when he fell to the floor.
It was believed he died after a cardiac arrest.
The energetic priest had not shown any previous signs of illness, and was fine during the sermon, Father Kerridge said.
His loss would be keenly felt.
"I would say everyone in the parish would consider him their next of kin. He was like a brother."
Parishioner Ross Allan said those who were there were shocked by what they saw unfolding.
"One moment he had baptised a child ... then the next moment there was all this commotion up the front of the church. It was a very unusual situation."
Monsignor Hannigan was a pillar of the community who did everything he could to help those in need, including the homeless who showed up on his doorstep, Allan said.
One of the highlights of Monsignor Hannigan's services was his blessing of children, he said.
In a now-famous incident, a visiting bishop had once been completely ignored when all the kids flocked to Monsignor Hannigan.
"There he was waiting for children to rush up to him, and they all rocketed straight past. He was left quite nonplussed."
Monsignor Hannigan had officiated at thousands of wedding ceremonies, funerals and christenings.
Originally from Ireland, he emigrated to New Zealand in 1956. He worked as a priest in Wellington, Levin, Palmerston North and Ohura before moving to Napier to become parish priest at St Patrick's in 1979.
He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000 for services to the community, including his work with the sick and elderly.
At the time, he attributed the award to his parish and joked that he "thought they'd got the wrong person".
Jack Handey, is that you?
wild dogs.
Communion or a Baptism, two great last act’s.
too deep.
“Wow, how sad for the congregation...”
Maybe shocking, but after thought, not sad.
He was born into Eternal Life. That is why we have the Mass of the Resurrection, not the dead at funerals.
Actually, I suspect the little guy will eternally be tied to the priest who is probably more alive now than ever.
Hopefully Msgr. Hannigan would not be offended by the dark humor.
O God, Thou didst raise Thy servant, Timothy, to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchisedech, giving him the sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the sins of men in Thine own Holy Name.
We beseech Thee to reward his faithfulness and to forget his faults, admitting him speedily into Thy Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of his labors.
This we ask through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Amen.
When I was in high school, I played the organ at a church where a very shaky, but very kind, elderly priest would occasionally say Mass. I knew he was in bad shape. I had even visited him in the hospital. I was terrified that he would croak right there on the altar, when I was “on duty”. Then my parents pointed out that, if he did, he would be very happy to have given his last minutes to God and our congregation. He did not ultimately die at Mass, but I’m sure he will be in Heaven, happy to welcome any priest that does.
Died with his boots on, so to speak. 82yrs, ain't exactly ancient...but we know how it goes, though it is surprising when there is otherwise, overall vigor.
I know a guy who had a ruptured aorta at about 45 yrs, sensed something was drastically wrong, called 911 then passed out. After waiting for an ambulance (he lived in a rural area) then two helicopter airlift rides later, he ended up at some Medical facility associated with Sanford University, coming all the way from the hinterlands outlying San Miguel. He was clinically dead for I don't know, more than an hour at Sanford, but was somehow revived --- without noticeable brain damage. I think the Dr. was at that point, going through the motions as an experiment, and got a big surprise when whatever was done, worked. The same Dr. later called the guy "my miracle boy".
RIP.
R.I.P. Monsignor Hannigan.
Granted. But I didn’t like the reference to “The Omen” That is what I was challenging, even if in the wrong way.
Thank you for offering this beautiful prayer, PanzerKardinal.
Instant promotion.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Lol! I haven’t that joke in years.
thanks for the belly laugh.
It appears that the original St. Patrick's Church in Napier was built in 1894 but this church was probably built after the earthquake.
My grandfather lived in Napier for a while before coming to the US so he probably belonged to this parish...but that was before 1931.
As a pastor myself, I can’t think of a better way to go. Well, during the singing of the Nunc Dimittis. . . .
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