RELIGIOUS bigotry was forgotten yesterday as an Anglican minister lauded Catholic father Kevin Flanagan for revolutionising lives on the Border through inclusion.
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Sacred Heart Catholic church in North Albury had more than double its usual Sunday turnout as Father Flanagan conducted his last service to a full house.
Albury’s St Matthew’s Anglican church Father Peter MacLeod-Miller from the pulpit, thanked the “Roman Catholic church for giving” Father Flanagan to the city from 1977.
“I am so grateful to the revolution that Father Kevin has brought to my life and to the lives of the Christian people and the broader community of this place,” Father MacLeod-Miller said.
“When I first came here he took me to the races and he also gave me a piece of great advice, being a boxer, he said ‘keep your head nice and close to your shoulders, keep your chin in, don’t give them anything to hit’.
“You’ve been there when we all needed you….I can say that from the heart.
“Thank you for your amazing words of inclusion, the church has yet to catch up – they’re on the way.”
Speaking to The Border Mail after the service, Father Flanagan reflected how remarkable it was to have a protestant preacher involved in proceedings.
“We couldn’t even go to a funeral where there was a non-Catholic in those bigoted days,” he said referring to his initial years as a priest.
“Thank God we’re so much more open now and accepting.
“Not everybody else is, but we are.”
In addition to Father MacLeod-Miller’s tribute, Father Flanagan was honoured through music with the soundtrack of the film The Mission and Day by Day from stage work Godspell.
Sacred Heart Parish president Justin Clancy reflected on Father Flanagan’s contribution.
“You will have a permanent place in our heart and God knows how we will miss you,” Mr Clancy said.
Fellow Catholic priests Jim Vickery, John Frauenfelder and Bernie McGrath joined Father MacLeod-Miller and the congregation in raising their arms in honour as they sang the Irish prayer May the road rise to meet you to Father Flanagan.
Father Flanagan told The Border Mail of his legacy.
“I hope I’ve given people hope – hope in themselves, hope in the community in which they live and hope in the future.”