Fr John Griffin: An appreciation

Dec 08, 2014

This Eulogy was prepared by Columban Michael Gormly.

Fr John Griffin was a missionary priest blessed with an engaging personality and relentless charm. His friendly, positive and expansive spirit influenced people in many mission situations. Throughout his career blessings emerged from family, friends, names, faces, travel, cultures, languages and music.

His travelling violin played a part too. He was a fiddler on the roof, making music, telling stories, bringing inspiration and hope to others. Faith came wrapped in warm-hearted affability.

Born in Timaru, New Zealand, in 1927, John was early blessed with a loving family and a sound education. After six years study in Australia, he was ordained for the Columban Mission in 1950 and assigned to the Philippines, to the Diocese of Iba in the Province of Zambales. For 20 years he was engaged in pastoral ministry with the Ilokano dialect.

A medical emergency in 1970 brought him back to New Zealand for the amputation of his right leg. The surgeon declared it was his leg or his life. He made adjustments, developed a resilient capacity to cope and retained mobility for four decades.

In 1975 he was asked to coordinate the education and fundraising effort of the national mission office. His task was to absorb the worldwide mission situation and promote the mission cause across the land. A feature of his tenure was an ability to establish friendships with benefactors, missionaries and church dignitaries. Photo opportunities with the Pope were the occasional bonus.

John was blessed with opportunities to travel, to experience cultures, and to visit mission situations. He derived memories and satisfaction from every assignment. In the mid-80s he volunteered to work for ten years with the Columban Mission in Santiago, Chile. Again, his engaging personality and charm flourished as he provided hospitality and assisted urban church communities.

On his return to New Zealand in 1995, he again preached a message of mission awareness, first in Auckland and later in Wellington. He made a deliberate effort to keep mission alive in the local church. In retirement at St Columban's, Lower Hutt, he was by no means house-bound. Family, friends and colleagues enjoyed his company, visits, phone calls and emails.

Ageing and a loss of mobility led to dedicated healthcare and professional nursing at the Aroha Centre for the Elderly. He spoke of his final blessings in terms of ‘aroha’ – warm care and attention based on love and respect.

Fr John Griffin died peacefully in Wellington, New Zealand, on September 25, 2014, remembered as a gifted missionary priest with a remarkable interest and concern for people. One tribute says it well: “He arrived among us bringing short moments of joy and encouragement; he departed leaving long memories of friendship and celebration.”

Fr John's funeral was held on September 30 at the Church of St Martin de Porres, Avalon, New Zealand.