The Archdiocese of Liverpool was saddened to learn of the death of Fr Dunstan Harrington. He was 74 years old, and in the 36th year of the priesthood.

Dunstan William Bede Harrington was born in Bradford on 27 May 1950, the son of Bartholomew and Joan Harrington. He was named after both the house and school at St Bede’s College, Bradford, where his maternal grandfather had taught for many years.

Dunstan, however, was educated elsewhere, firstly at St Malachy’s Infant and Junior Schools in Halifax, where his father was headmaster, then at St Gregory’s Grammar School in Huddersfield, and finally at St Mary’s College, Great Crosby, for his sixth-form studies.

After studying civil engineering at Leeds University, and following a course at Liverpool Polytechnic, he began working for Royal Insurance, where he completed the qualifications necessary to become a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute. His remarkable ability to do mental arithmetic was notable in his time with Royal Insurance.

In his late twenties, he became quite involved with Speakeasy, a discussion and music group for young people, in his parish at St William of York, Thornton. Thoughts of a priestly vocation developed, and, despite his own sense of unworthiness, he was told by an old family friend that he was aiming for ordination not canonisation.

He was accepted as a student for the priesthood, completing his seminary formation at St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw, and at the Beda College in Rome. Archbishop Worlock ordained him to the sacred priesthood at St William of York, Thornton, on 10 June 1989.

Following ordination, he served briefly as assistant priest to Fr Alex Fleming at St Francis of Assisi, Garston (1989-90) and to Canon Peter Wilkinson at St Clare’s, Sefton Park (1990-91).

In November 1991, he was asked to move to St Luke’s, Whiston, to join the team led by Fr Tony Reynolds in St Luke’s parish, and to help provide chaplaincy cover at Whiston Hospital.

In February 1996, he returned to the south end of Liverpool as he took up his first appointment as parish priest at St Hugh of Lincoln, Wavertree. The parish included the aptly named St Dunstan’s Village, a modern estate that had replaced several streets of Victorian terraced houses.

Before long, he acquired a black Labrador called Hugh, becoming a familiar figure in the streets around the church. There were many who received discreet acts of kindness from him during his time in this part of the city, not least an asylum-seeking family in difficulty.

In November 2002, he was asked to move back to what had been his home parish in the archdiocese, and where his mother still lived at the time, as he was appointed to St William of York, Thornton.

From 2006, he also had responsibility for the parish of St Mary, Little Crosby. This proved to be Fr Dunstan’s longest appointment, as he ministered faithfully in this area for more than twenty years. A tribute issued by Holy Family High School, Thornton, observed that, “Fr Dunstan’s unwavering faith, tireless work ethic, and compassionate spirit touched the lives of many.”

Throughout his life, Fr Dunstan retained a love of the Yorkshire countryside, often heading back to the Pennines. He particularly enjoyed returning to the Worth Valley, where he could indulge his lifelong interest in steam engines. For many years he was a member of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society, and he spent many hours during his student days helping to restore steam engines.

He died suddenly on Sunday 10 November 2024.

May he rest in peace.

The funeral arrangements for Father Harrington are as follows:

Reception of the Body & Vigil Mass: Thursday 12 December at 7.00 p.m. St Mary’s Church, Back Lane, Little Crosby, L23 4UA. Bishop Tom Neylon will preside at this Mass. Canons of the Chapter will lead Evening Prayer from the Office for the Dead at 6.30 p.m.

Requiem Mass: Friday 13 December at 11.00 a.m. St William of York, Edge Lane, Thornton, Liverpool, L23 4TG. Burial will follow in the churchyard at St Mary’s, Little Crosby.