Priest, 90, still fulfilled by role

DAVID HALLETT/The Press

SATISFYING ROLE: Tom Powers, priest at St Peter's Catholic Church in Beckenham, who turned 90 yesterday, and who has no plans to retire.

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A Christchurch priest who has just celebrated his 90th birthday has no plans to retire.

Tom Power, of St Peter's Catholic Church in Beckenham, turned 90 yesterday and said he may now be the oldest active priest in New Zealand.

"I haven't done any research on it, but I don't think there are many others around who are quite as old as me."

Powers was ordained as a priest in 1953 – the same year as the Queen's coronation, the discovery of the structure of DNA, and the Tangiwai rail disaster and the death of Kiwi aviator Richard Pearse.

He decided to become a priest to help "bring Christ to people" and devote himself to a life of service after working as an accountant.

"There's a fulfilment that I have achieved [as a priest], and it's something I never had while I was working."

Before joining St Peter's, Power served in a variety of roles, including a year as the chaplain at Burnham Military Camp.

"I had some experience during the war, so someone recommended me for the position – I really enjoyed it."

During his 47 years as a priest, he has served under five popes, from Pope Pius XII to current Pope Benedict XVI.

He said he still lived by the motto he took when he was ordained, "to restore all things in Christ", and had no plans to give up.

"I'm still fit and able, and able to carry out the requirements to be a priest, so why retire?"

Powers was also concerned about the lack of young priests and seminary students, but was hopeful that numbers would pick up in coming years.

"Hopefully some young one will come on Sunday and decide they want to take over from me."

- © Fairfax NZ News