Obituary: Visionary priest left a 'magnificent' memorial

Sydney
7 April 2002

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Obituary: Visionary priest left a 'magnificent' memorial

Obituary: Visionary priest left a 'magnificent' memorial

Mons Michael Cronin (right) and Cardinal Gilroy

Monsignor Michael Cronin, former par ish priest at Our Lady of Fatima, Kingsgrove, has died in County Kerry, Ireland. He was 91.

Mons Cronin arrived at Kingsgrove in 1963 with specific instructions from Cardinal Gilroy to stop construction of a new church on a selected site.

Vatican II meant that changes were needed to the design of the church.

Mons Cronin did the cardinal's bidding, but at a cost of £18,000 ($36,000) - paid to those retrenched and in payment for work already completed - and with a heavy heart.

"I had full knowledge of the enormous task ahead of Kingsgrove parish; I also realised that to carry out the wishes of the archbishop many people would be hurt, and in the process, hurt myself," Mons Cronin recalled in a farewell letter to his parish when he retired in 1976.

"I felt it needed a much younger man. But, much as I objected, there was no relief.

"Naturally many were hurt.

"I hope I am forgiven, but it hurt me to have to do it."

Mons Cronin retired quietly to his native Ireland after 42 years in the priesthood, 39 of them in Australia.

His first posts in Australia were brief appointments to Belmore and Bankstown before three years in Lid combe.

A post at St Mary's Cathedral followed. Then Fr Cronin was made monsignor and despatched to Lewisham and then the new parish of Summer Hill.

Some 15 years later, he was appointed to Kings grove at Cardinal Gilroy's personal directive.

The parish needed a new church, school buildings, extensions and amenities. Eventually the work was completed and Our Lady of Fatima church obtained a reputation as being well ahead of its time, a rounded building with pews around the altar. At 66, Mons Cronin was able to retire.

Explaining his deft departure, Mons Cronin wrote to his parishioners that he had "had many partings in life - some severe. Please forgive me for slipping away quietly; parting with so many wonderful friends would hurt you and me more".

He returned three years later to celebrate a formal farewell Mass.

In a memorial Mass at Our Lady of Fatima, Bishop David Cremin paid tribute to the church Mons Cronin eventually built.

"We gather here in this beautiful church to pray for him, to remember and praise him," he said.

"This magnificent place of worship will always be a memorial to his breadth of vision and his courage in erecting a church that was very different.

"By every standard Mons Cronin was a dedicated, committed priest. He was most prayerful and totally caring of his people.

"On behalf of countless people, religious, priests and bishops whom you served so well, thank you Mons Cronin. May you rest from your labours with your beloved master."