Correspondents write:
THE Ven. Michael Brotherton was a devoted priest, loving husband and father, and cherished friend to many.
Born in Brighouse, he formed his lifelong faith and commitment to the Catholic tradition at the parish church.
After National Service, Michael studied theology at St John’s College, Cambridge (his father’s college), trained for the priesthood at Cuddesdon College, and served his title at St Nicholas’s, Chiswick. It was there that he met Daphne, who became his beloved wife, and with whom he shared a life of joy and hospitality.
Together, they moved to Trinidad in 1965, where Michael served as chaplain and teacher at Trinity College, Port of Spain, and later as parish priest of St Michael and All Angels, Diego Martin. There, he pioneered ecumenical cooperation and established joint services to mark the major church festivals. It was an extraordinarily full decade in their lives, including the arrival of their four children and living through a revolution and a hurricane. They travelled extensively and fell in love with the West Indies, their people, their culture (not least Carnival and its food). This period also nurtured a spirit of adventure in Michael which would stay with him throughout his life.
In 1976, Michael became Vicar of St Mary and St John, Cowley, in Oxford. His tenure was marked by his dedication to his parishioners and his involvement in the wider community, including serving as rural dean and Chaplain to St Hilda’s College, from where he took groups of students to Taizé.
In 1981, Michael was appointed Vicar of St Mary’s, Portsea, the parish of Archbishops Garbett and Lang. He arrived shortly before the Falklands War, and this meant that he had the unenviable task of helping the naval chaplain to break the news of sons and daughters killed in action. Ably supported by a team of wonderful curates (in those days up to five at a time, including the daughter churches), there were many highlights of his time in Portsmouth, including visits by the Princess Royal, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was cheered by huge crowds as he walked down Fratton Road.
Michael’s final post was as Archdeacon of Chichester, where his pastoral heart and compassionate nature were a source of support for many. As a residentiary canon of Chichester Cathedral, he loved its worship and the sense of community in the Close. He served faithfully on various diocesan committees, the General Synod, at USPG, the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith, and others.
In retirement, Michael travelled extensively, enjoying covering European chaplaincies, and loved the worship at St Mary’s, Bourne Street. He remained very proud of his Yorkshire roots, and, until his final months, he and Daphne kept an open house at their flat in South Kensington.
Michael’s life was characterised by his joy in serving others, his deep love for his family, and his unwavering faith. He leaves behind Daphne, and their children James, Peter, Chris, and Marianthe, and their families.
