It is with great sadness that we must report the death of Father Ray Matus CongOrat, Founder Provost of the Manchester Oratory, following a long illness bravely borne. Fr Ray was one of the most inspirational and finest priests I have ever known and the legacy of his work in Manchester will last for generations. Please pray for the happy repose of his soul.
Father Ray was born in Darwen in 1952, he was educated at Blackpool Grammar School and Bristol University, where he remained after graduation, joining the staff, working in administration. While there he was received into the Catholic Church and decided to pursue a vocation.
After studying for the priesthood at the Venerable English College he was ordained for the Diocese of Clifton 14 April 1982, serving as curate in Swindon and Weston-super-Mere before becoming parish priest of Chipping Camden. He moved to Manchester in 1991 to establish an Oratorian community at the Church of the Holy Name after the Jesuits had resigned. By that time sadly the presbytery had been sold off to the university and the church itself was also under threat. Taking up residence in the Manchester University Chaplaincy building, Father Ray oversaw the restoration and renovation of the landmark church and rebuilt a thriving community there.
In 2013 the Jesuits announced their intention to return to Manchester and to the Holy Name and Father Ray and the community were offered instead the Church of St Chad, Cheetham Hill where they relocated and where in 2019 the Manchester Oratory was formally erected. Under their charge the historic church has been renovated and beautified and this parish once considered dead and earmarked for closure is now one of the busiest in the diocese.
They also took on responsibility for ministering to Crumpsall Hospital and Strangeways Prison, did a huge amount of outreach work in the community around Cheetham Hill, acted as confessor and confidant to many of the diocesan clergy.
