At 3 a.m. Thursday 10th March 2022, Fr. David Cullen MAfr returned to the Father who created him. 3 weeks ago, David celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by family and confreres with a Mass of Thanksgiving and followed by a meal. There was a lot to celebrate. 63 years of missionary life. David’s ministry took him to Italy , Malawi and UK, but his heart remained in Zambia.
We thank Almighty God for the life of his servant, Dave, and pray that Dave may now be living that peace and joy now which for so many years he witnessed to others.
Fr. David was born in Croydon (near London) on 7th. February 1932, made his Missionary Oath in s’Heerenberg in the Netherlands in 1958 and was ordained to the priesthood in Whetstone (London on 3rd. February 1958.
After ordination he was sent to Rome for further studies (Bible) 1959-62. He was on the staff of the Noviciate in Dorking 1962-69 then was sent to Kachebere in Malawi to teach Bible.
From 1973 until 1991 he was in Zambia as a lecturer, seminary rector, parish curate and Regional Councillor.
1991-95 he spent teaching and as a staff member in St.Edward’s College, London and at MIL (Missionary Institute London).
1997-2020 saw him back in Zambia in parish ministry, finally leaving Zambia for London because of deteriorating health, he stayed in Little Ealing Lane from 2020 until his death.
There is no date given for his funeral, as yet. People in Zambia where he was known and loved, have been making a Book of Condolences and preparing to celebrate a Requiem Mass for him to coincide with his funeral in UK.