Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Brian Croughan, who died on 29th April 2023. He was a priest of our diocese for almost 60 years…

Brian Croughan was born on 18th August 1939 in Portsmouth. He was baptised and later confirmed at St Joseph’s Church, Copnor, Portsmouth. He was educated at St John’s College Southsea. Brian completed his seminary formation at The English College, Valladolid. He was ordained to the priesthood on 29th June 1963 by Archbishop John Henry King at St Joseph’s, Copnor.

Brian ministered as an assistant priest at St Mary’s, Alton, St Joseph’s, Basingstoke, St Boniface Southampton, St Joseph’s, Portsmouth, and Sacred Heart, Waterlooville. As parish priest, he served at St David’s, East Cowes, Sacred Heart, Shanklin, Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph, Lymington, Sacred Heart, Hook, St Saviour, Totland Bay, and St Theresa of the Child Jesus, Totton. He retired in 2008 and lived in Winchester, Fareham and Chandlers Ford.

Gifted with the skills of study, Brian completed a BA in Spanish and Latin, MA Classics in Church History and Patristics, and a M.Th. in Early Church History. His passion for history was manifested in being Diocesan Archivist for twelve years.

Brian leaves behind his brother Paddy with wife Val, his brother Tony and his sister Teresa with husband Dave, together with nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces. Let us thank God for his loving service to the people whom he was called to serve. May the Lord grant him eternal rest in the love that he so generously served throughout his ministry.

Fr. Brian’s Requiem Mass will take place at Sacred Heart, Waterlooville on Friday 2nd June at 2.30pm.

Hear with favour our prayers, which we humbly offer, O Lord, for the salvation of the soul of Brian, your servant and Priest, that he, who devoted a faithful ministry to your name, may rejoice in the perpetual company of your Saints.