Fr. Thomas O'Riordan, parish priest of Chatham. builder of the new church in Rochester dedicated to Cardinal St. John Fisher, died suddenly after a stroke on Sunday.
The church—the first in Rochester since the Reformation—is to be opened by Bishop Kearney of Rochester, U.S.A., on May 23. Permission was being sought early this week for the burial of Fr. O'Riordan outside the new church. Bishop Cowderoy will offer Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass in St. Michael's, Chatham, today (Friday) at 1 l.30 a.m.
It was announced on Wednesday that Fr. Thomas McKenna, parish priest of Newington and chaplain of the London Catholic Transport Guild. has been appointed to succeed Fr. O'Riordan.