The Archdiocese of Liverpool was saddened to learn of the death of Fr Malcolm Prince at the age of 74. He was in his 42nd year of priesthood.

Malcolm Joseph Patrick Prince was born in Wythenshawe on 17 March 1950. He received his early education at Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More School, Wythenshawe, All Hallows Secondary School, Manchester, and St Edward’s College, Market Drayton.

He entered the novitiate of the Brothers of Christian Instruction (De La Mennais) at Jersey in July 1967, before going to study at the Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin, where he gained a diploma in religious education.

His years as a teaching brother were all spent in Liverpool: St Joseph’s Preparatory School, Woolton, (1971-73) and St Francis Xavier College (1973-77). In 1977, he was released by his congregation to read for a degree in theology and politics at the University of Bristol, and whilst there he applied to the archdiocese for consideration as a candidate for the priesthood.

He completed his formation at All Hallows, Dublin, and he was ordained to the priesthood at St Alban’s, Warrington, by Archbishop Derek Worlock on 25th September 1982.

Following ordination, Fr Prince was appointed to the parish of St James, Orrell, and unsurprisingly was given the additional role of chaplain at St Peter’s High School and St John Rigby Sixth Form College, both of which were located within the parish.

In April 1986, he took on a different form of chaplaincy at Liverpool Polytechnic. During his time as chaplain at the polytechnic, he was also administrator at St Mary’s, Highfield Street (1986-88) and in residence at the Metropolitan Cathedral (1988-1991).

In September 1991, he took up his first appointment as parish priest, moving to St Swithin’s, Gilmoss. After almost 11 years, he was asked to move to St Luke’s, Whiston, as parish priest, and to be a chaplain at Whiston Hospital.

In September 2011, he moved to Widnes and became parish priest of the parishes of St Marie and St John Fisher. When the new parish of St Wilfrid was established in 2015, he was one of several parish priests in solidum appointed to provide pastoral care.

His final appointment came in February 2017, when he took up the position of parish priest at St Joseph’s, Penketh.

Sadly, his ministry in Penketh was cut short when he had a stroke in 2018 and he was forced to retire from active ministry. He was cared for at Nazareth House, Crosby, during most of his retirement. He died on Tuesday 30th July 2024, aged 74 years, in the 42nd year of the priesthood.

May he rest in peace.

His funeral details are as follows:

Vigil Mass: Tuesday 13 August 7.30 p.m.

St Joseph’s Church, Meeting Lane, Penketh, WA5 2BB

Canons of the Chapter will lead Evening Prayer from the Office for the Dead at 7.00 p.m.

The reception of the body and the Vigil Mass will follow at 7.30 p.m.

Requiem Mass: Wednesday 14 August 12.15 p.m.

St Joseph’s Church, Meeting Lane, Penketh, WA5 2BB

Burial will follow at Warrington Cemetery at 2.00 p.m.