Retired Conventual Franciscan Bishop is a Living Testament to the Conventual Friars' Achievements in the United Kingdom Over the Last Century

Bishop Friar John Jukes (centre)

Franciscan Friar Timothy Dore hails from Baltimore, Maryland. His current assignment at Most Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn, New York sees him fulfilling that parish’s position of parochial vicar.

Earlier this month, Friar Timothy took some time away from his duties to visit Scotland and help the friars in that country with their ministries for about a month and a half. While working in Scotland he met with Bishop John Jukes, a fellow Conventual Franciscan who lives in the town of Huntly.

Born in the Eltham area of London in 1923, Friar John became a Conventual Friar and then a priest in 1952. In 1980, Archbishop Bowen ordained Friar John Bishop of the Titular See of Srathearn and Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark. Strathearn is in Perthshire, Scotland while Southwark encompasses Southern England.

Ten years ago, Friar John retired from his work as bishop and settled in Huntly where he became pastor of St. Margaret Church. He served in this capacity until 2008 when he was 85 years old. Today, his home is still in Huntly.

Franciscans first entered the British Isles in 1224 when Blessed Agnellus of Pisa and eight other friars arrived in England. They ministered to countless people and grew as an Order for three centuries. Between 1538 and 1539, however, King Henry VIII expelled all Catholic Orders from England. Only in 1907 did the Conventual Franciscans or Greyfriars as they are known across the British Isles return to England and Ireland. These early 20th century friars came from the United States. Today, their spiritual brothers staff seven parishes in England, Scotland, and Ireland, help run the Franciscan International Study Centre in Canterbury (which they cofounded), maintain the chaplaincy at Cambridge University, and fulfill many other ministries.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: Friar Tim Dore's Facebook Account and www.thegreyfriars.org.)