Obituary: Fr Fabian Radcliffe OP

Born May 29th, 1928, professed September 27th, 1954, ordained to the Priesthood September 29th, 1959, died April 1st 2019.

The rich life of Fabian Radcliffe OP fell into three parts. Having been received into the church at Oxford, he professed and became ordained as a Dominican. He was student master for a brief time at Blackfriars in Oxford, and he helped to start the 9.30am Family Mass there.

He then pursued an independent path in those heady, post-conciliar days, as a Chaplain to what became the Trinity School at Leamington Spa. The creative and independent Head, Peter Hastings, had an innovative approach to Christian Catholic education which Fabian shared. There is a very full account of this model, and the particular role of the Chaplain, in Educating the Elephant's Child, by Peter Hastings*. There was no compulsion of religious practice, though religious education and worship were a constant throughout the school. Instead Fabian engaged students by offering activities which reflected his particular interests: chess, archaeology (he published a monogram of excavations whilst at Oxford), and outdoor pursuits, especially long-distance walking.

All these activities offered opportunities for easy ongoing discussions. This model, which offered a different vision of church, was not always easy for parents used to a different more structured system. However, many came to appreciate his commitment and inspiration, and former pupils speak affectionately of his openness and kindness, and the lasting influence of these shared experiences. He went to Leamington for two years, and stayed nearly twenty.

Fr Fabian Radcliffe became Chaplain of the Newman Association in 2000 after the resignation of Fr Giles Hibbert OP on health grounds. Fr Fabian was already well-known to a number of members as he had been our Chaplain on the Greek pilgrimage in 1999. Previously he had been co-ordinator of the Catholic University Student Societies. He threw himself into his new role with characteristic enthusiasm, attending Council meetings and the London Newman Lecture, giving talks and retreats to Newman Circles and getting to know their members. One of Fr Fabian's first tasks was to try to revive a younger membership and along with Fr Chris McCoy he started an organisation called "Cathnet", intended as a Newman Association without the formality and membership structure of the Newman; unfortunately Cathnet did not survive long. Fr Fabian also conducted negotiations with the Bishops' Conference (E&W) about possible changes to the Association's memoranda and articles.

After the Greek pilgrimage, Fr Fabian continued to be our Chaplain on the next nine Newman pilgrimages. In his white Dominican robes he made a striking figure on all our travels, as he climbed over the ruins at Baalbeck or rode a camel, in the dark, up Mount Sinai or celebrated Mass on a balcony in Delphi overlooking a vast sea of olive trees. On pilgrimage his sermons were carefully pitched to our location but morning prayer on the coach, and Fr Fabian's meditations as we sped through the countryside, were something special.

Fr Fabian's energy was legendary. When in 2004 we decided to go to Santiago de Compostela, by coach, he decided he would walk the Camino! On our arrival in Spain we met Fr Fabian who had interrupted his walk, having started in France. He accompanied us as our Chaplain to Santiago and then returned by train to the town where we had met him and walked back to Santiago!

Fr Fabian will be remembered for his boundless enthusiasm, gentleness, good humour and wise counsel. It was a pity he did not live to see the canonisation of our patron Blessed John Henry Newman. He retired as our Chaplain at the beginning of Lent last year on becoming ill, having served for 18 years. The large Church of the Holy Cross in Leicester, part of the Dominican Priory where he lived, was packed for his funeral last month following his death at the age of 90.

* Second Edition published 2012 by Lulu, £11.25 (paperback)