Peter Jennings, the press secretary to the Archbishop of Birmingham for many years, has died following a battle with leukemia.
Mr Jennings, a prolific author and former European correspondent for
Our Sunday Visitor, was appointed press secretary to the Archdiocese of
Birmingham in 2000. He wrote the official record of Benedict XVI’s visit
to Britain in 2010 and had worked on the Cause of Blessed John Henry
Newman since the 1970s. He was also a Knight of Merit with Star of the
Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster said: “I am very saddened
by the death of Peter Jennings and offer my prayers and condolences to
Stella, his wife, and their family. Peter will be sorely missed. Over many, many years he sought to
serve the Church well in the challenging world of the media. His great
love for the Church was always his key motivation and his determination
never faltered. I thank God for his steadfast work, which included the official
records of the visits of both Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI
to the United Kingdom, fine and lasting tributes to his considerable
abilities. May the Lord welcome him with great love and mercy.”
Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham said: “On Tuesday September
10 I was greatly saddened to hear from his family of the death of Peter
Jennings, press secretary to the Archdiocese of Birmingham and to
myself. Peter had fought bravely against illness over recent months and
had continued to dedicate himself to his work until the last few days. Peter Jennings served as press secretary to Archbishop Vincent
Nichols and myself during the last 10 years with great dedication and
loyalty and he will be very much missed. I pray for his eternal
happiness and I assure Peter’s wife and family of my prayers for them at
this time.”
Kevin Grant, a Catholic journalist and a close friend, described Mr Jennings as a “mettlesome, battlesome man”.
“He had a huge faith,” he said.