Diocesan Press Release

Tooting Vicar's Death

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 June 1998

The Rev Serafin Lopez Ferreiro, who was the priest at St Augustine's, Tooting, since 1978, died on the morning of Monday June 8. He had been ill for some months with cancer, but continued in full-time service until very recently. He is survived by his widow Dorothy and two grown up sons.

The Rural Dean of Tooting, Canon Bernice Broggio, says "He was a much-loved parish priest and vicar, and a great visitor who had an important pastoral ministry. He was very involved with multi-racial efforts and had close relations with other faiths. He ministered to everyone locally whatever their faith. He also ran a lunch club for pensioners for many years."

The Archdeacon of Wandsworth, the Ven David Gerrard, added "Serafin was a very devoted family man who was very proud of his sons. He also kept in close touch with his country and members of his family back in Spain."

Serafin Lopez Ferreiro was born in Spain in 1935 and was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest. Later he became an Anglican and studied at St John's College, Durham, and gained a BA and DipTh from Durham University. Ordained deacon in 1971 and priest in 1972, he served as Curate at St Stephen's, South Lambeth until 1975. From then until 1978 he was Curate at Holy Trinity, Upper Tooting, before moving to St Augustine's as Priest-in-Charge. He became Vicar in 1983.

Ends.