The death of Mgr Canon Hubert Gibney, Vicar-General of the Southwark diocese from 1946 to 1970, took place last week at St John's Convent, Kiln Green, Reading. He was 85. He was born in London and educated for the priesthood at the old Junior Seminary at Clapham Park, London, and at Wonersh. After his ordination in 1917 his first appointment was to Borough parish. After two years, he became a member of the teaching staff at Wonersh and in 1924 he moved to Mark Cross when the Junior Seminary was opened. In 1934 he was appointed Diocesan Secretary and, 12 years later, Vicar-General — a post which he held until his retirement from curial work in 1970, In addition to his diocesan duties, he was parish priest of Mortlake from 1944 to 1972, when he retired to live at Kiln Green.
He was named a Chapter Cannon in 1945, a Domestic Prelate in 1950, a Protonotary Apostolic in 1952 and in the same year was elected Provost of the Chapter. He returned to Mortlake last July to celebrate the diamond jubilee of his priesthood. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St George's Cathedral, Southwark, on Tuesday. Archbishop Bowen presided and Bishop Henderson preached.
More vocations in Uruguay
Although Uruguay has considerably fewer priests now than 10 years ago (562 against 662) new religious vocations are on the increase according to two officials of the Uruguayan Bishops' Conference.
Fr Adolfo Antelo, head of social communications for the conference who said that the country now had 1 37 men studying for the priesthood, nearly double its total of 70 a decade ago.
Fr Claudio Lozano, director of vocations, said that those studying now showed "a more solid and thought-out response to the call."