Monsignor David Forde RIP
The Bishop was very much saddened to hear of the death, on Friday 22nd August, of Monsignor David Forde.
Monsignor Canon David Forde was born in Ireland on 4th September 1930, and died in Nottingham on 22nd August 2025, just a few days short of his 95th birthday, and in the seventieth year of his Priesthood.
Monsignor David studied at Mount Melleray Seminary, and then at All Hallows Seminary, Dublin, before being Ordained to the Priesthood there on 17th June 1956, at the age of 25. Father David’s first appointment in Nottingham Diocese was as Assistant Priest in Saint Peter’s Parish, Leicester, until 1963, when he was moved to become Parish Priest of Divine Infant of Prague Parish, Syston. Nine years later, in 1972, he was asked to become Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lincoln, Lincoln, an office he held for 20 years, and during much of which time he was Dean of Lincoln Deanery also. In 1984, in recognition of how signification contribution to the wider life of the Diocese, Father David was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter, gaining the title ‘Canon’.
At the request of Bishop McGuinness, Canon David moved to become Administrator of the Cathedral on 30th January 1992, finding the plans for the refurbishment of the building were in their early stages, in preparation for the 150th anniversary two years later. He oversaw this major work in 1993, being named a Chaplain to the Holy Father at the Chrism Mass in 1994.
Monsignor David left the Cathedral in 1999, becoming Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Bulwell, and later also Infant of Prague, Bestwood, as well as Dean of Nottingham West Deanery. Having celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination in 2006, he transferred in 2007, his final year of ministry, to become Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Hucknall, from where he retired in 2008.
On the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee in 2016 Monsignor David wrote:
Thirty-two young men were preparing for Ordination to the Priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin, in 1956. They were answering the call of the founder of All Hallows, euntes docete omnes gentes. My class of thirty-two after Ordination went to various parts of the English-speaking world.
After sixty years, many have gone to their eternal reward since then. Five of us made it back to the College to celebrate our Golden Jubilee. I am in contact with six of my classmates thanks to modern technology.
My Diamond Jubilee provides me with an opportunity to thank God for the gift of Priesthood. It also affords me the opportunity to put in writing my grateful thanks to my family back in Ireland and to my many friends in the Parishes I had the privilege to serve: Saint Peter’s, Leicester; Syston; Our Lady of Lincoln; Saint Barnabas Cathedral; Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Bulwell; and Holy Cross, Hucknall.
Please pray for me as I continue to keep you all in my prayers.
May David now rest in God’s peace, and rise in glory.
Monsignor Canon David Forde
Born 4th September 1930
Ordained 17th June 1956
Died 22nd August 2025
