Cardinal Vincent Nichols has expressed his sadness at the death of a retired Westminster priest in South Africa.

Upon hearing of the sudden death of Fr Raymond Legge on 25 August in South Africa, Cardinal Vincent has written to Cardinal Wilfred Napier to thank him for the pastoral care shown. At the same time he has sent a message of greeting and condolence to be read at the Requiem Mass for Fr Raymond, which takes place on Friday 28 August.

In his message the Cardinal speaks of the ministry of Fr Raymond in his diocese, especially in Hemel Hempstead, and offers his greetings and prayers to Ken, the brother of Fr Raymond and to his wife, Rose. He assures all gathered at the Funeral Mass of the prayers and condolences of priests and people of this Diocese.

Cardinal Vincent wrote: “We in the Diocese of Westminster have been greatly blessed by Fr Raymond’s ministry and unfailing concern.”

Fr Raymond was ordained to the priesthood just over 20 years ago on 30th June 1995, by Cardinal Basil Hume. Following his ordination he served in several parishes of the Diocese, including (1995) North Harrow, (1996) Willesden Green and (1999) Wembley. In 2001, Fr Raymond was appointed parish priest of Our Lady, Queen of all Creation, Hemel Hempstead, a position he held until October 2014 when the burden of ill health had forced him to retire to South Africa to be with his family.

Cardinal Vincent said Fr Raymond “was a very sincere and hard working priest. He was much loved and indeed very creative in some of the initiatives he took in the parish of Our Lady, Queen of Creation. He is much missed and will certainly be accompanied now by the prayers of many.”

A note on Our Lady, Queen of Creation’s website, says: We received the news this morning that Fr Raymond, who retired in November died peacefully in Hospital in South Africa in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 25th August). We ask the Lord in his mercy to look with kindness on his faithful servant. We also send our condolences to Fr Raymond’s Family at this time.

There will be a Parish Requiem Mass offered for Fr Raymond on Saturday 5th September at 10am.

Source: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=28168

EDITOR: Before Raymond Legge was ordained he lived in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands for a long time. I am sure many older residents will remember him as I do. Many condolences to his family and friends.