The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

Addressing mourners at the funeral of the former Bishop of Tuam, the Right Reverend John (Jack) Coote Duggan, in St Paul's Church, Glenageary, Co. Dublin, on Monday, 24 July, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Reverend Dr. Walton Empey, said Bishop Duggan's outstanding characteristic was his care of people.

Dr Empey, who began his ministry as a curate in Glenageary, where Bishop Duggan was the rector, said, "My heart is strangely torn between a deep sadness and a strong sense of thanksgiving for Jack Duggan's life and witness." Recalling weekly staff meetings Dr Empey said, "As curate I was given a list of 30 houses to visit and I had to report on my visiting. Jack took a great interest in how I got on. He would ask questions such as: 'Are there any problems in that family? How is that child doing at school - he's a bit backward? Is that widow coping all right?' Care of people was at the centre of his ministry."

Praising Bishop Duggan's intellectual gifts, Dr Empey said, "He obtained a first-class honours degree from Trinity College where he was a Scholar. This meant a lot to him and at the beginning of his last illness he went to the Scholars' dinner. This was his last public engagement." He added, "He was a scholar who wore his scholarship easily. But his well-stocked mind showed in the quality of his addresses."

Referring to Bishop Duggan's three incumbencies in Portarlington, Glenageary and Westport, Dr Empey said rectors were not remembered for building parish centres, conducting stewardship campaigns or for starting organisations in a parish, but rather for being there in times of sadness, joy, anxiety and decision-making. He said, "As a rector Jack was remembered for his great compassion for people."

Dr Empey outlined the historic links between the Episcopal Church in Spain and the Church of Ireland. Praising Bishop Duggan's role in keeping up these links Dr Empey said, "His work in this area was recognised by his appointment earlier this year as honorary Assistant Bishop of Europe. This meant a good deal to him."

Dr Empey ended with a tribute to the bishop's wife, Mary, for the wonderful support she gave her husband. "Theirs was a truly Christian home, full of warmth, hospitality and humour."
Amongst those present at the service was the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Dr. Robin Eames. In a short statement before reading the Gospel, Dr. Eames expressed the sympathy of the House of Bishops and the wider Church of Ireland to Mrs. Duggan and her family.
In recognition of Bishop Duggan's work with the Episcopal Church in Spain the Bishop of Europe, the Right Reverend Henry Scriven, was present.

Also present were the Bishop of Tuam, Dr. Richard Henderson; the Bishop of Meath & Kildare, Dr. Richard Clarke; the Bishop of Kilmore, Rt. Revd. Michael Mayes, and the Bishop of Clogher, Rt. Revd. Brian Hannon. Dr. Samuel Poyntz, former Bishop of Connor, and Rt. Revd. Noel Willoughby, former Bishop of Cashel & Ossory, were also present.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, the Most Reverend Dr. Michael Neary, was represented by the Administrator of Westport, the Very Reverend Fr. Michael Molloy.

Archdeacon Gordon Linney, Rector of Glenageary, and Revd. Fred Appelbe, Rector of Rathmichael, also took part in the service.

The chief mourners were Bishop Duggan's wife, Mary, son, Brian, and daughter, Sheila.