October 5, 2023

Father Anthony Cullen, former local pastor, dies in homeland of Wales, U.K.

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – Father Anthony Cullen,73, former pastor of several parishes in the Springfield Diocese, died on Oct. 1 in his home country of Wales, United Kingdom, in the 49^th year of his priesthood.

In the Springfield Diocese, he had served as pastor at parishes and missions in Holyoke, Springfield, Shelburne Falls, Charlemont, and Colrain.

The son of Richard and Mary (McCarthy) Cullen, Father Cullen was born on Nov. 28, 1949 in Swansea, South Wales, U.K. He attended Clevedon College in Swansea and pre-seminary at Campion House, Osterly, London. He completed seminary studies at All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 19, 1975 at St. Joseph Church in Swansea.

He served as an assistant pastor at several parishes in the U.K. from 1975-2003, and became a parochial vicar at St. Mary Mother of the Church Parish in Lee, Massachusetts on Jan. 15, 2004. He also served as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Berkshire Hills Council 314, the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, and the Apostleship of the Sea.

Father Cullen was incardinated into the Diocese of Springfield om March 20, 2007. He served as administrator of St. Jerome Parish, Holyoke, and later as pastor of Holy Cross Paris, Springfield; St. Joseph Parish, Shelburne Falls; St. Christopher Mission, Charlemont; and St. John the Baptist Mission, Colrain.

He returned to Wales, U.K., on Nov. 15, 2017, and retired on Dec. 1, 2017.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held in his homeland of Wales. A Memorial Mass will be planned for him in the near future.