John O’Toole was born in Dublin on 1st February 1950, one of seven children. He from Ireland when was eight and grew up in Chatham graduating in History at King’s College, London.

He spent time teaching at Richard Challoner School, New Malden, where he became Head of Religious Education following completion of the Certificate in Education (PGCE).

John felt a call to the priesthood from an early age and was accepted as a candidate for the priesthood at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. One of John’s Formation placement reports commented that: “John O’Toole is a great mixer with the people of the parish and they have taken him to their hearts.”

Fr John was ordained to the Priesthood on 1st November 1978 by Archbishop Michael Bowen at the church of St Michael, Chatham. One of the few priests ordained who had a papal blessing from Pope John Paul I, Pope for only 33 days.

His first appointment was as an assistant priest in the parish of Lewisham, where he is fondly remembered. In November 1981, Archbishop Michael appointed him to the Diocesan Catechetical Centre as the RE Advisor for Secondary Schools. With his teaching background, Fr John gained the confidence and respect of Headteachers across the Archdiocese, visiting schools and leading Inset days, enhancing his love for catechesis, a hallmark of his priestly ministry. That same year, 1981, Fr John was elected as one of the Southwark delegates to the National Conference of Priests. He later was later appointed Deputy Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre and worked closely with many of the lay staff who were employed at the Centre in both advisory and administrative roles. In 1987, Fr John was appointed, assistant priest to Canon Colm Acton in the parish of Merton. He is remembered with great affection as an excellent preacher, and a faithful parish visitor of the sick and the housebound. He was also chaplain to the Deanery Youth Group, chaplain to the local hospital, and a regular visitor to both the Primary and the Middle schools that were located in the parish.

In 1990, Fr John was inducted by Bishop Charles Henderson on 22nd January 1991 as Parish Priest of St Paul’s, Thamesmead. In May 1991 Archbishop Michael wrote to Fr John after a visit saying: “You have clearly settled in very well and are much appreciated by the people in the parish. I am also pleased that you have taken on the chaplaincy work in the prison.” He developed close links with the other Christian churches which contributed to his work later on with the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in Ecumenism. He continued studying and completed an MA at King’s College, London in Theology and Education.

Fr John took a sabbatical in 1996, followed by his next appointment as a member of the clergy team with the Catholic Missionary Society (CMS) involving preparing, directing and delivering Missions in parishes in England and Wales. His skills as a speaker, a preacher, a teacher of the faith, a priest accompanying people at different stages of their faith journey, were put to great use in this role.

He was inducted on 17th September 1999 by Bishop Howard Tripp as Parish priest of St Andrew’s, Thornton Heath. Archbishop Michael Bowen visited the parish shortly after an attack on worshipers during the celebration of Sunday Mass and later wrote to Fr John: “I want to pay tribute to you, to Fr Bill and Canon John for the way in which you handled the recent events at St Andrew’s. I am so proud of everything that you have done during the last week, at a time of such stress for the parish.” He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 2003 and in September 2003, he was appointed Director of the Christian Education Centre (CEC).

He was part of the Diocesan preparations for the celebrations around the Year of the Eucharist in 2005 and the Year of St Paul in 2009. In May 2011, he became Dean of St George’s Cathedral, Southwark following his appointment as Canon of the Chapter. In his message of Summer 2011 Canon John wrote “As I prepare to hand on the leadership of the Christian Education Centre, I look to the past with gratitude and to the future with new confidence.”

Canon John served as Dean for 4 years. The Cathedral parishioners remember him for his pastoral care, his excellent preaching, and his commitment to visiting the sick and the housebound including ministering at St Thomas’ Hospital. He also took on the role as Episcopal Vicar in the Archdiocese and was a member of the London Ethnic Chaplains’ Group.

In January 2015, Canon John was appointed as National Ecumenical Officer for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and Secretary to the Department for Dialogue and Unity. Canon John wrote: “I thank the Bishops for having confidence in me to take on this role. I am very happy to do so and look forward to meeting and working with my ecumenical colleagues. Most importantly, I thank my late parents. My mum taught me to respect Christians of other traditions, and my dad taught me to respect people of other faiths. Together they taught me to be both true to myself and to be open to others.”

Canon John’s wise counsel, easy going personality, and his commitment to serve the Church were respected, recognised and appreciated. His ability to mix in different ecumenical circles and to keep grounded were features of his ministry and his service.

In 2018, he celebrated his Ruby Jubilee of Ordination, attending the Diocesan celebrations and also going to Rome for the Jubilarians’ celebrations organised by the Venerable English College. A celebratory Mass to mark this jubilee was held at St Boniface, Tooting, where Canon John was an ‘also resident’ priest. Clergy, family, friends and parishioners gathered to mark and celebrate this milestone, and to give thanks to God for his ministry.

In 2020, Canon John was created a Chaplain to his Holiness Pope Francis, with the title of Monsignor, on 8th June 2020 later was appointed as Episcopal Vicar in the Archdiocese of Southwark. He moved from South West London to the Canterbury Presbytery, and visited parishes in the Kent area.

In May 2022 his health began to deteriorate, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was relieved of his appointments as Episcopal Vicar for Kent, as a member of the College of Consultors, and as a member of the Archbishop’s Council. Archbishop John Wilson wrote: “I find myself filled with deep gratitude and admiration for all you have done for our Archdiocese throughout the years. Thinking back to the many times you have assisted me in making important decisions for the well-being of our Archdiocese, what has stood out most especially has been your gentleness and your kindness. Your deep commitment to prayer has been a source of inspiration for your fellow priests, and it is as a priest yourself that your faithful service, even in the face of challenges and difficulties, has been a testament to your love for the Lord Jesus and his Church, manifested in your care for his people.”

Mgr Canon John’s health continued to deteriorate gradually over the next few years, and in March 2025 he was told by his doctors that they could do no more for him. He died peacefully on 3rd April just before 5pm having been anointed by his great friend Mgr Gerry Ewing.

Mgr Canon John always signed off letters and emails: Lotsaluv. He was loved. He will always be loved and remembered by the many people whose lives he touched in so many ways. He was a faithful servant of the Lord. He loved the Lord and did his best to show that love to others. Many tributes have been paid to him since his death. All speak of his sense of fun, his friendship, his kindness and compassion. He was a popular priest, loved by parishioners, respected by his brother priests and deacons.

He was devoted to his family and loved them dearly as they were to him and were grateful to him for all he did for them and for all he meant to them. We give thanks to God for a life well lived, a ministry offered in service of the Lord, devoted to the mission of the Church.

Mgr Canon John O’Toole, priest of the Archdiocese of Southwark, who died on 3rd April 2025 aged 75 years, and in the 47th year of his priesthood.

May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.