We, the friars of the British Province of the Carmelite Order (O.Carm.) enjoy a warm fraternal relationship with our brothers in the Anglo-Irish Province of the Discalced/Teresian Carmelites (O.C.D.). We collaborate in a number of projects, including The Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland.
A new Provincial of the Discalced Carmelite Anglo-Irish Province – Father John Grennan, O.C.D. – was installed at their Provincial Chapter held at Avila Carmelite Centre in Dublin between 27th and 31st July 2020. Father John previously served in this role 2002-08. In 2009 he was elected to the General Council of the Discalced Carmelites in Rome where he served for six years. From 2015 he served in the Derry community of his Province. He was due to take up office as Provincial this May, having been elected in February, but Covid-19 restrictions delayed the Provincial Chapter. He will be assisted in his role by Provincial Councillors, Fathers Liam Finnerty, Jim Noonan, Felix Okolo, and Canice Azuoma. The Prior Provincial of the British Province of Carmelites, Fr. Kevin Alban, O.Carm., has sent Fr. John our Province’s congratulations and the assurance of prayers for his ministry.
Fr. John Grennan, O.C.D.
The British Province also extends its condolences to our Discalced brethren following the deaths of two members of the Anglo-Irish Province. Father John McNamara, O.C.D. (1938-2020) was a priest of Glasgow Archdiocese before joining the Discalced Carmelites in 1990, serving in Loughrea, Kensington, St. Teresa’s in Dublin, and Derry. Sadly he contracted Covid-19 whilst recovering from back surgery and died in Belfast City Hospital on 23rd April. Father Stanislaus Callanan, O.C.D. (1928-2020) grew up near the Carmelite Abbey at Loughrea in County Galway, and joined the Discalced Carmelites in 1949. As well as ministering in Australia and Nigeria, he spent most of his life in England, serving in Wincanton, Gerrards Cross, and Kensington. Due to failing health he moved to a care home in Galway in 2017, where he died peacefully on 30th April. May they rest in peace.
(left) Fr. John McNamara, O.C.D. & (right) Fr. Stanislaus Callanan, O.C.D.
Text: www.ocd.ie; Dr. Johan Bergström-Allen, T.O.C.
