Mgr. Canon Peter Lawler.
The Requiem Mass for Peter Lawler at St Chad's Cathedral had a special significance. Not only had he been Adminis
trator of the Cathedral but during the years of his priesthood he had never confined his ministry to one college or one parish but had reached out to people in all parts of the
Diocese. The congregation itself indicated the scope of his ministry: there were his family, personal friends from amongst the bishops and priests, the Cathedral Chapter, students from Oscott, representatives of the City and the Birmingham Council of Christian Churches. There were also many many laymen and laywomen who had cause to be grateful for Peter's kindness and advice over the years. It was very moving to see Archbishop Dwyer at this Requiem Mass. He and Peter had worked closely together over many years.
Peter Lawler was a Birmingham priest. Born in 1926, his early years were spent at Gravelly Hill where his Parish Priest was Monsignor B Gould. In 1938 he went to Cotton
College with the intention of becoming a priest. At Cotton he was soon recognised as being an outstanding pupil. He was gifted with a fine intelligence and a clear mind, he was outstanding in games, particularly cricket, he took part in school and house plays. Always mature for his years, yet at the same time he was ever a good companion.
In 1944 he left Cotton to continue his studies at St Mary's, Oscott, and was said by a professor of great experience that he had the clearest mind of any student he had ever taught. Again he took part in all the activities of the house. Looking back I suppose he was as near to being
a model student as even the professors could have wished for.
After ordination in 1950 he was appointed to St Chad's Cathedral. He often spoke, with great happiness, in later life of that year. He greatly admired Canon Hodgson and Father Joe Nightingale and would recall with an air of disbelief the human side of a hard-working and devoted community.
In 1951 he returned to St Mary's, Oscott, as a lecturer. He was to spend twenty years helping prepare students for the priesthood. Gifted with a fine mind, he was most assiduous in his own studies and in the preparation of his lectures. I know how much his lectures and the clarity of his presentation were appreciated by generations of students. But he was not just an academic, he was in constant demand as a spiritual director by the students and at the same time he started to build up a following of
priests and laypeople who constantly came to him for counsel and advice.
If I have made him sound rather a dull fellow, this is far from the truth. He was a delightful companion, witty and entertaining, but I never once heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He really did not seem to have his fair share of original sin!
It was during the years of the Vatican Council and afterwards that he made his greatest contribution to the life of the Diocese. It was a time when many aspects of the Church's life seemed to be changing and the changes caused, in some, uncertainty, in others bewilderment and in some few, deep hurt. Peter stood for many at that time like
a rock. He was a man of deep personal faith, a man of wisdom and learning. Well-versed in the nature and tradition of the Church, he also had a clear grasp of the renewal sought by the Second Vatican Council; at the same time he had a great sympathy with those who felt disturbed. The priests of the Diocese trusted him and he was in great demand by individuals for advice and by groups for lectures. There are many who feel blessed that at this time Peter was ready and willing to confirm their faith.
After twenty years at Oscott he was appointed Parish Priest at Maryvale. From Maryvale he continued to lecture at Oscott. At the same time his standing amongst the clergy was such that the Archbishop asked him to organise the in-service training for priests. I know how seriously he took this work and what great thought he gave to it. But his parish was not neglected. On the contrary, he was a true pastor to his people. He enjoyed parish life, he preached with the same care as he lectured. He refurbished the church and founded, with some difficulty, a parish centre. I remember his telling me that too much of a priest's time is taken up with `problems', a priest must be much more aware of the need to foster and nurture the good people of the parish. It was during this time that he became Chairman of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission
and in 1957 he was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter. Very soon after his appointment he was elected Secretary of the Chapter and also Canon Theologian.
In 1977 he was appointed Administrator of St Chad's Cathedral. In his all-too-brief stay we remember him for his gracious hospitality and the care he took in making the Cathedral not only a parish church but a centre for diocesan activities and for the ecumenical work of the City. He was closely associated with the Birmingham Council of Christian Churches and for a period was Chairman. Under his wise guidance the life of the Cathedral flourished, its
music and liturgy were his special care. I am reminded that perhaps the only thing Peter could not do was sing! The Cathedral became a centre for many people who had
associated themselves with him over the years and still came in their numbers to benefit from his spiritual wisdom. His appointment as Prelate of Honour in 1980 was recognition of the contribution which he had already made to the life of the Diocese. We looked forward to many more years of service.
However, in 1981, he had to undergo extensive surgery and it became clear that he could no longer continue as Administrator of the Cathedral. After a year of convalescence he was appointed Parish Priest of St Anne's, Streetly. Even when he went there he knew that he might not have long to live and all the time he was Parish Priest of St Anne's he had to undergo constant and at times debilitating treatment. Peter took all this with robust resignation, arranging his treatment so that it did not interfere with his work in the parish nor with his lectures at Oscott. During all this time he had the most devoted care for his elderly mother whom he visited at Maryvale every day. He was
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