15.05.2017
Large Congregation Gathers to Pay Tribute to Former Dean of St Patrick’s
St Patrick’s Cathedral was full for a memorial service for former Dean, the Very Revd Victor Griffin, which took place yesterday (Sunday May 14). President Michael D Higgins was in attendance as well as members of Dean Griffin’s family and many friends and associates who gathered to remember a man who the preacher, the Archdeacon of Dublin, described as “political, courageous, fearless, controversial, author, loyal, friend, family man and above all, priest”. Dean William Morton presided at the service which was sung by the cathedral choir.
Dean Griffin died on January 11 2017. He was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral from 1968 to 1991.
In his address, Archdeacon David Pierpoint said that in politics Dean Griffin had many adversaries but twice as many friends and would have been both proud and humbled to have Uachtarán na hÉireann and the many representatives of politics and the State in attendance at the service.
Throughout his ministry, the Archdeacon said, Victor championed the cause of inclusivity and pluralism. Speaking out at times resulted in him being ostracized but this did not deter him from speaking out for what he believed.
“A tolerance so lacking in many groups in the 1960s, 70s and even 80s that he was accused of being anti–Irish, anti–republican, a protestant bigot and anti–Roman Catholic. He was however, supported and upheld by liberal Roman Catholics, concerned members of the Church of Ireland, the Jewish community and people of no religion. Victor’s mantra during that time was that Irish people should move away from exclusiveness to inclusiveness. Thank God for Victor’s stance, for that is, in general, the Ireland we live in today. Our political future is constantly being fashioned by people like Victor, taking risks, living out the gospel message of mutual love and respect for one another. He was indeed political, courageous and controversial,” Archdeacon Pierpoint said.
In ministry, he said that Victor was never afraid to wear his faith on his sleeve. He recalled the Dean saying to him: “Never be ashamed to wear your collar in public, whether in the streets, hotels or local bars, for that is where you will find your flock and a fulfilment in your ministry”.
In his writings, the preacher stated, Victor put paid to many myths both in society and the Church and also provided many useful books and booklets.
Describing Dean Griffin’s dedication to St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Archdeacon recalled the appeal he launched for its restoration in 1972 exceeding its target by almost £100,000, his negotiations with the Department of Education to get new buildings for the choir and grammar schools, his opposition to the widening of St Patrick’s Street and he and his wife Daphne’s campaign to save the Deanery. As a priest he seldom missed being present at the daily office or on Sundays and he and Canon Bradley insisted on perfection in liturgy.
Victor was devoted to his family and Archdeacon Pierpoint extended his sympathies to them.
He concluded with words from Victor’s final sermon in St Patrick’s Cathedral: “Finally, my friends, Farewell. Strive for perfection, be strong, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of peace will be with you. The Lord God omnipotent reigns, because Christ is alive and has won the victory over sin and death. By his resurrection we know that love is stronger than hate, good stronger than evil and life stronger than death”.
Born in Carnew, County Wicklow, in 1924, Dean Griffin was educated at Kilkenny College and Trinity College Dublin. He was ordained in 1948 for curacy at St Augustine’s in Derry. He served a second curacy at Christ Church in Derry where he became Rector in 1957 until 1968 when he was appointed Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral. He retired in 1991 and was living in Limavady.
Victor Griffin married Daphne Mitchell of Londonderry at All Saints’, Londonderry in May 1958; a teacher, she died of Multiple Sclerosis in 1998. The couple had twin sons, Kevin and Timothy, born in 1959.
You can read the full text of Archdeacon Pierpoint’s sermon here.