Sydney
27 April 2003
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Prelates and priests bid Fr Les farewell
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Prelates and priests bid Fr Les farewell
Priests line the steps as Fr Les Cashen’s coffin is carried from his Forest
Lodge church
By Damir Govorcin
“Fr Les was a man of wisdom and vision, and a gentle and caring pastor.
“His lasting legacy will be the contribution he made to the National Council of Priests where he was the founding father.
“He had a lively wit and was very generous and open.”
These are the words Fr Gary Russell used to describe Fr Les Cashen, who died on April 12 after a heart attack.
He was 77.
Hundreds of mourners packed St James’ Church, Forest Lodge, to say goodbye to a man who touched so many lives.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr George Pell, described Fr Les as a “distinguished and faithful priest”.
Fr Les served in seven parishes and had been parish priest of Pyrmont and Forest Lodge since 1999.
He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day this year for his service to the Catholic Church, recognising his special contribution in education and in the administration of St John’s College, at the University of Sydney, where he was resident vice-rector for four years and rector for 12.
He was elected rector emeritus of the college in 1991.
Fr Les was ordained in 1958 by Cardinal Norman Gilroy.
He served as chairman of The Catholic Weekly’s board of directors from 1987-1998 and was national director of the Catholic Inquiry Centre of the Australian Episcopal Conference (1973-77), chairman of the National Council of Priests of Australia and a member of the Archbishop’s Senate (1973-76).
Archbishop Pell concelebrated the fiuneral Mass with the former Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Edward Clancy, the Bishop of Broken Bay, Bishop David Walker, and a large group of priests.
In his final commendation Dr Pell said: “Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother, Les.
“May our farewell express our affection for him, may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope.
“One day we shall joyfully greet him again.”