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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough

News Release

Death of Parish Priest of Marske

Fr. Arthur Dutton

On Tuesday 22 November 2005 at mid morning Father Arthur Dutton, parish priest of St Bede’s Church, Marske, died peacefully with his family around him. He was 74 years of age.

Father Dutton originated from Sunderland and studied for the priesthood at Ushaw College, Durham. He was ordained priest on 13 July 1958 at St Patrick’s Church, Thornaby, where the family had moved to live early in his life.

Father Dutton began his ministry as an assistant priest at St Mary’s Cathedral, where he served until 1961. From 1961-1965 he was assistant priest at St Patrick’s, Middlesbrough. Corpus Christi, Hull, was to be his next appointment and he served the community there for 5 years again as an assistant priest before being asked by the Bishop to become Chaplain to the Canonesses of St Augustine in Hull. He went to St Mary’s, Filey, as their parish priest from 1976 to 1978. In 1978 Arthur became parish priest of St Bede’s, Marske, and served the people of that parish until his death.

Father Dutton was a man who always spoke his mind, and had clear ideas of how things should be, but always spoke with great charity and encouragement. His straightforwardness was a gift he used to great effect when he served as Vocations Director and when he was Editor of Catholic Voice the Diocesan Newspaper. Father Dutton was a man of strong conviction and great integrity of faith and throughout his life he was a loyal servant of the Church. Coming from a close knit community of faith in Thornaby, he never lost sight of his origins and always remained a people’s priest. People who knew him really well speak of his great sense of humour which never left him, even throughout his long period of illness.

Father Dutton’s body will be received into St Bede’s, Marske, at 7.00 pm on Wednesday, 30 November, followed by Mass. The Funeral Mass itself will be celebrated at 12.00 noon on Thursday, 1 December, at St Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough with the chief celebrant being The Right Reverend John Crowley the Bishop of Middlesbrough.

For more information please contact the diocesan communications officers:

Dr. Jim Whiston: Curial Offices 50a The Avenue Linthorpe Middlesbrough TS5 6QT

Telephone 01642 850505 - Fax 01642 851404

Father Derek Turnham: Sacred Heart Presbytery 1 Park Road South Middlesbrough TS5 6LD

Telephone 01642 850113 - Fax 01642 852122