Fr Robert Rutledge • 1928-2022

It’s with great sadness that Bishop Patrick learned of the death, at about 12.30am this morning, Monday 4th July, of Father Robert Rutledge.  He had celebrated his 94th birthday yesterday, and the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination on 31st May this year.

When he was thirteen Robert entered Saint Muredach’s College, Ballina, the Killala Diocesan Junior Seminary. At the end of his third year his father died suddenly making life difficult, but at eighteen he moved to St Peter’s Seminary, Wexford, and then to Oscott for theology.  He was ordained for our diocese at Saint Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on 31st May 1952.

Bishop Ellis appointed Father Robert as curate at Holy Souls, Scunthorpe and then Saint Augustine’s, Nottingham.  He tried his vocation at Mount Saint Bernard where he and Blessed Cyprian Tansi served Mass for each other. It became clear that the Cistercian life was not for him, though he still spoke affectionately of the Abbey. He moved to Saint Philip Neri, Mansfield, and later was sent back to Scunthorpe, this time to Saint Bernadette’s, and from there to Saint Mary’s Grantham.

He received his first appointment as parish priest in 1961 and moved to All Saints, Ashbourne.  In 1975 he moved to Our Lady of Lourdes Ashby-de-la-Zouch.  His health was never good and in 1988 Bishop McGuinness gave Father Robert permission to retire.  He returned to his home village in Newtown Cloghans, County Mayo.  In 2014 he moved back to our diocese and initially lived independently in a flat in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.  During the first lockdown in 2020 he gave up his flat and moved in with Marie and Bill Allen, not far away.  He continued to regularly celebrate the Saturday evening Mass at Saint Charles, Measham until the first lockdown and celebrated or concelebrated the weekday Masses at Ashby until his stroke in January 2021.  After some time in hospital, he moved to a nursing home in Ashby, from where be celebrated his platinum jubilee at Our Lady of Lourdes church with Bishop Patrick and fellow priests just five weeks ago.

May Father Robert now rest in God’s eternal peace, and rise in glory on the last day.

The Bishop will offer Mass for the happy repose of Father Robert’s soul in Lourdes this week, and funeral details will be announced as soon as they are to hand.