Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Christopher Coleman 1902 - 1987 FR. CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN CP On Saturday evening, June 27th, 1987, word came that Fr. Christopher had died in Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross. That was indeed a remarkable day for Mount Argus: in the morning a young priest was ordained and before nightfall an old priest had died. Although his death was not unexpected still it was a sad occasion for all of us. Up until 1978 Christopher had always been quite a healthy man but in August of that year he had a pacemaker inserted and from then on his life was more or less that of an invalid, although by no means idle. Christopher Coleman was born in Killucan, Co. Westmeath on September 25th, 1902. His father was a leather worker who specialised in making harness for horses and Christopher inherited from his father this love of leather work, especially the making of purses, pouches and other small items. He was educated at the local National School and St. Finnian's College, Mullingar. At the age of 18 he applied for admission to the Passionist Congregation and was accepted. Before going to the novitiate he was sent to our Juniorate which at that time was in Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne. The Director of Postulants at that time was Fr. Herman Willis who exerted an influence on Christopher which was to last all through life. He went to The Graan in the autumn of 1920 and was clothed on November 12th of that same year, retaining his own baptismal name. His novice master joked that it wouldn't be worth his while changing it, implying that perhaps he wouldn't be around for very long anyway. However he did persevere and in fact celebrated the 65th anniversary of his Profession last November ('86), having been first professed on November 13th, 1921. He then left for England where he spent the remainder of his student life, firstly in Broadway and then in Ilkley where he was ordained priest by Most Rev. Dr. Cargill, Bishop of Leeds on January 13th, 1929. After a short time in Ardoyne, Christopher was sent to Rome to take up studies in Sacred Scripture. He loved Rome and always had interesting stories to tell of the Eternal City. On his return to the Province he took up what was to become his main life's work, teaching - in Mount Argus initially but later on in life at our Juniorate in Crossgar. While in Mount Argus he was also engaged in youth work as chaplain to the boys' club and the scouts. Following the 1944 Provincial Chapter he was appointed Vicar and Bursar of Holy Cross, Ardoyne. Then at the 1947 Chapter he was elected Rector of Mount Argus and returned again in 1950. In 1953 he was elected first Provincial Consultor and from 1956-68 he was Prefect of Studies. From 1962-5 he was Superior of Crossgar before being elected back on to Council as Second Consultor. He was Superior again in Crossgar from 1968-74 and Assistant Superior from 1974-7, the last office he was to hold. As well as his work in administration and education Christopher was also engaged in some missions and many retreats, notably to Diocesan Clergy; Religious Communities; University Students, Seminarians and Secondary Schools. He was also involved as Director of Confraternities in both Mount Argus and Ardoyne; sometimes broadcasted and wrote an excellent life of Fr. Charles. An historian by nature he had an inexhaustible fund of knowledge of the Congregation and especially of our Province. But most of all Christopher just wanted to be a simple Passionist and this is what he will best remembered as. May be rest in peace.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.