Durban Catholics mourn Bishop Barry’s death

THE thunderous voice and glowing presence of Bishop Barry Wood will be forever remembered by those who were close to him after he passed away yesterday morning.
His death has affected Catholic homes as thousands cannot believe, the man whose strong messages and commanding voice that drew the parishioners from every church has died.
Born on 13 June 1942, it was clear he was destined to be a leader and a messenger of God as he spent his years spreading love and faith. Those who attended his masses can agree, they left empowered.

Before being appointed Bishop, Barry Wood was a loved priest at Sacred Heart church in Montclair for seven years from 1999 to 2006, where he was known for his uplifting and moving sermons. Language was never a barrier, communicating with his congregation in their language. He was a priest for 48 years and in all those years he has been a major influence in the lives of his parishioners that called him family.
“For the youth, he was a caring friend and father figure who gave the best hugs. He was good at remembering names and had a wonderful laugh,” said Colleen Starkey, a parishioner of Sacred Heart.

His strong presence and his obvious positive influence was noticed by the Durban Catholic Archdiocese as he was called and appointed as Reverend Bishop in 2006.

He was a founding member of Mother of Peace in Illovo and is currently the Titular Bishop of Babra and Auxiliary Bishop of the Durban Archdiocese.
Mother of Peace Community leader and chairman of the Management Committee, Gavin Gradwell said, “Bishop Barry has been involved with Mother of Peace for 15 years and he has always been supportive and involved as a member of board of directors and we will miss his input. As a person he always spoke from the heart and was very caring. He had a special attachment to children and would do anything for them and their communities. He will be missed as a friend.”
Gavin Adams a member of the Adoration, Community Theology and Service movement (ACTS) and Sacred Heart Church said Bishop Barry will be missed by many. “Although he was not part of the Act’s movement in the parish, he did support it as bishop and personally, he was the parish priest that brought about the multicultural mass in our parish,” he said.