Archbishop Beck dies

Archbishop George Andrew Beck, retired. Archbishop of Liverpool has died in the Lourdes Hospital, Liverpool aged 74.
Widely loved and respected in the Brentwood diocese where he served as bishop from 1951 to 1955. as bishop of Salford from 1955 to 1964 and as Archbishop of Liverpool until his retirement in March 1976, Archbishop Beck was best known nationally for his work for Catholic education.
He headed the national Catholic Education Council and was largely responsible for the development of Catholic education after the 1944 Education Act.
Born in Streatham, London on May 28, 1904, his early education was at Clapham College and St Michael's College, Hitchin. He joined the Society of St Edmund in 1922 and transferred to the Augustinians of the Assumption in 1925. He was ordained priest at the age of 23. on July 24, 1927. He went immediately onto the staff of St Michael's College, Hitchin, took honours in History at London University in 1934 and was appointed Headmaster at Hitchin in 1941. From 1944-48 he was Headmaster of the Becket School, Nottingham, until he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Brentwood with right of succession to Bishop Doubleday. Cardinal Griffin of Westminster consecrated him bishop, September 21, 1948.
Archbishop Beck celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood in Liverpool Cathedral in November last year. It was to be his last appearance in the Cathedral he helped to build.
Archbishop Warlock of Liverpool writes: "By the death of Archbishop Beck the Catholics of Liverpool have lost a great priest whom clergy and people revered for his wonderful example of Christian leadership and fortitude."
Full tributes next week.