ARCHDIOCESE OF CARDIFF
It is with deep regret that the Archdiocese of Cardiff announces the death on 27 March 2007 of the Most Revd John Aloysious Ward OFM Cap, Archbishop Emeritus of Cardiff. He was 78 years of age.
Archbishop Ward was born on 24 January 1929 in Leeds. He was educated at Prior Park College, Bath and joined the Capuchin Friars at Holywell, Clwyd. He was ordained in 1953 in the Franciscan Parish at Peckham, London.
Having directed the travelling mission in North Wales for seven years, he became guardian of the community and parish priest at Peckham. In 1969 he became minister provincial, and was elected an advisor to the Father General in 1970.
Archbishop Ward was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Menevia on 1 October 1980 and succeeded as ordinary on 5 February 1981. He was appointed Archbishop of Cardiff on 29 March 1983. He attended the 1994 Synod of Bishops in Rome, on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
In October 2001 Archbishop Ward retired. He leaves a sister, Margaret.
Archbishop Peter Smith said:
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Archbishop Ward this morning. He was a dedicated friar, priest and bishop throughout the 50 years of his ministry. My thoughts and prayers go to his sister Margaret, his family and friends across the parishes and two dioceses in which he served as bishop.”
