Fr Graham Turner RIP
As a deacon awaiting ordination to priesthood for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Graham was diagnosed with leukaemia towards the end of his preparations at the Beda College in Rome. He came to stay with his parents in Harwood whilst undergoing treatment at Salford Royal. Parishioners got to know him and his hope had been to become strong enough to be able to exercise his ministry as deacon and assist in the celebration of Mass at St Brendan’s.
At the beginning of March, Graham's condition worsened and he was admitted to Salford Royal for some very intense chemotherapy. Just before Easter, Graham and his family were informed that this treatment had not been successful and that the prognosis was poor. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, took the decision to ordain Graham in the hospital and this took place in a very moving ceremony on Easter Monday.
You can read an account of the ordination on the website of the Scottish Catholic Observer.
Sadly, that same site now contains the news that Graham died this morning (Monday 16 April). May he rest in peace.
Graham's funeral will take place at St Brendan's, Harwood with Requiem Mass at 12noon on Monday 23 April and then on Tuesday 24 April with Requiem Mass at 12.45 in St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, prior to burial in "The Priests' Circle" in Mount Vernon Cemetery.
Please remember Graham, his family, and the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh at this time.
Michael Cooke, 16/04/2012