It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Fr Allen Browne MSC, a member of the community at the Western Road, Cork.  He had spent most of his life as a missionary in Papua New Guinea.

Fr Allen died peacefully in his sleep in Cork University Hospital on the morning of Saturday 10th July 2010.  He was 91 years of age.

His Requiem Mass took place in the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork on Monday 12th July after which Fr Allen was buried at St Oliver's cemetary.

Born in the parish of Kilnamatyra, Co Cork, on February 19^th 1919, Fr Allen was the third child born to his parents Allen and Ellen Brown in a family of three boys and eight girls. He was baptized in the local church and attended the national school there until 1931 when his family moved to Rylane, Aghabullogue. In 1935 he began his secondary education at Sacred Heart College, Cork.  He matriculated in 1940 and all eight members of his class entered the MSC wartime novitiate in Crosshaven, Co Cork.  Allen was the oldest of his class and can be regarded as the first Irish MSC to complete all his preparation for priesthood in Ireland.  He was ordained priest in Moyne Park, Galway on September 21^st 1946, where he remained to complete his theological studies.  Together with his classmates he went on extended vacation due to wartime restrictions on travel to mission lands.  Early in 1948 Allen, together with three others, set out for Papua New Guinea.  He first worked in the parish of Lemakot, New Ireland, where he served for ten years until his first well-deserved holiday in Ireland. On his return he was assigned to the parish of Rabaul where he served until his appointment as Novice Master for the newly emerging MSC Province of Papua New Guinea, a position he held for seven years.  Being asked to take on this responsibility was undoubtedly a statement of recognition of the high esteem in which he was held as a spiritual guide and mentor.  This confidence was well founded as some of his novices later became leaders in the church as Provincial Superiors, Novice Masters and bishops. Allen was very proud of this to his dying day.  In 1972 Allen returned to parish work in Takabur, Rabaul where he travelled far and wide visiting the various mission outstations.

In 1990 Allen returned to Ireland due to ill health and bade farewell to the country and people he had deeply loved and served for over forty years.  He retired to the Sacred Heart Community House, Western Road and was appointed chaplain to St Joseph’s Retirement Convent of the Congregation of the Infant Jesus Sisters where he is fondly remembered.   As Allen’s health deteriorated his life circle was completed when he returned to his family connections in Cramers Court Care Home, Belgooly near Kinsale.  The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are deeply grateful for the love and care that Fr Allen experienced there.

On the occasion of his golden jubilee of priesthood Allen was described as a “truly dedicated and faithful servant, whose life and ministry as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart was a wonderful example and inspiration to all who knew him”.  No doubt when we reflect on this very brief account of his life we must agree wholeheartedly.

He is survived by his three sisters and many nieces and nephews.  May his kind soul rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served so well.

Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam dhílis.