CHURCHGOERS across the North were informed yesterday of the death of Bishop Kevin Dunn, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. Prayers were said across the diocese for Bishop Kevin, who died at 9.30pm on Saturday in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital with his family – including his mother Cath – at his bedside.
Bishop Kevin Dunn, 57, was admitted to the Freeman three weeks ago, suffering from a chest infection. His condition worsened three days later and after developing pneumonia, he was moved into intensive care.
A statement released from the Diocese yesterday said: “It is with great sadness that the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle announces the death of The Rt Rev Kevin John Dunn, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.
Bishop Kevin had been poorly in intensive care at the Freeman Hospital since Friday, February 8, 2008.
Over the last three weeks although there were times when he was kept very stable, his overall condition continued to deteriorate.”
The Diocese Vicar General, Canon Seamus Cunningham, said: “We are very grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Freeman Hospital for the loving care and concern given to the Bishop and his family throughout his illness.
“The death of Bishop Kevin will be greatly felt throughout the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and people in the parishes will be at prayer for their late Bishop. The Diocese extends its sympathy to Bishop Kevin’s mum Cath, his sisters Elizabeth, Mary and Julia and his brothers Stephen and Peter, and to his nieces and nephews, who will all miss him greatly.
“The diocese also extends its prayers and sympathy to Pamela Hyland, Bishop Kevin’s housekeeper for the last three and half years in this diocese, as well as many years previously in his home diocese.”
Bishop Kevin Dunn was ordained the 12th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths on May 25, 2004, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle. The diocese stretches from the Scottish borders to the Tees.
He was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, on July 9, 1950. He studied for the priesthood at Oscott College, Birmingham, and was ordained on January 17, 1976.
After serving as curate at St Patrick’s, Walsall, and chaplain to Stuart Bathurst High Street, he was chaplain to the Caribbean community in Birmingham from 1980 to 1987.
After two years as parish priest in Stoke-on-Trent and chaplain to North Staffordshire Hospital and University, he underwent further studies in Rome and was awarded a doctorate in Canon Law in 1991.
Upon his return to England in 1991, he worked as a parish priest in Stafford, then as Episcopal Vicar for the deaneries of Wolverhampton, Walsall, the Black Country and Worcestershire and a member of the Archbishop’s Council, in Birmingham.
The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, said yesterday: “I am deeply sorry to hear of the death of Bishop Kevin Dunn. His brief period as Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle promised so much for the future.”
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