Former bishop of Cork passes away

A former bishop of Cork will be laid to rest tomorrow, with his death being described as a great shock.

The Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross said he was very sad to hear and to convey the news of the death of the former bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Robert (Roy) Alexander Warke.

Bishop Colton was speaking after he received the news about his predecessor, who was bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross from 1988 to 1998.

Bishop Colton said: “Bishop Warke's daughter telephoned me with the news and, naturally, his death, coming as it does only nineteen days following the funeral of his wife Mrs Eileen Warke, is a great shock to everyone. They were an inseparable couple and much loved while they were here.

“At a personal level, Bishop Warke was always a constant, prayerful, practical and friendly support to me as his successor, and, following his retirement, took a keen interest in the diocese and in all that is going on in Cork. On my own behalf and on behalf of us all in Cork, Cloyne and Ross I extend our sincere sympathy to Bishop and Mrs Warke’s family, especially to his daughters Ruth and Jane and their families.”

Bishop Warke was bishop of this diocese from 1 February 1988 until his retirement at the end of 1998.

He returned to visit the diocese on several significant occasions including for the 250th anniversary of Kingston College in Mitchelstown.