IF every Catholic priest in Australia was like Albury’s Kevin Flanagan the church could be well pleased.
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The Tocumwal-raised holy father is testament to the qualities of compassion, tolerance and mateship.
You don’t have to be around him for long to see how easily he relates to people, no matter their station, age or degree of piety.
Father Flanagan’s popularity was underscored as he farewelled his flock at North Albury’s Sacred Heart church on Sunday morning.
A congregation more than double the norm packed the pews with some of the faithful needing to stand.
The most symbolic tribute to Father Flanagan, 88, came from the rector of Albury’s St Matthew’s Anglican church Father Peter MacLeod-Miller.
His attendance and tribute from the pulpit to Father Flanagan was a long way from the sectarianism that prevailed 54 years ago when the Catholic priest was ordained.
“Thank God we’re so much more open now and accepting,” Father Flanagan told The Border Mail after his last service.
“Not everybody else is, but we are.”
Indeed it is a hallmark of Father Flanagan’s 40 years at Sacred Heart that he has ensured the welcome mat has been out for all-comers.
The Catholic Church is often seen as a stern, regimented organisation not willing to change to mores of modern society.
That is understandable when tradition and conservatism tends to reign over much of its thinking.
But at its heart the parish church is only as strong as its priest.
Father Flanagan long realised booming fire and brimstone preaching would not succeed, instead he engaged in giving his parishioners hope.
He was not just about communion and the Lord’s Prayer.
The upbeat song Day by Day from the musical Godspell had as much place in his church as well-worn parables.
A long-standing parishioner told The Border Mail after the final service of how Father Flanagan had brought her comfort in coping with the death of loved ones.
“He’s a very compassionate man and he barracks for Melbourne, which my late husband did,” she said.
“He’s just one of a kind.”
We can only agree, Father Flanagan has proven an exceptional servant of God and a top bloke.