Mgr Francis Frost RIP
Friday 9th January 2026We are sorry to share the sad news that Mgr Francis Frost died peacefully on 5th January in Péronn, France.
Mgr Frost spent many decades working and living in France, in his retirement he remained affiliated with the Diocese of Salford through our retired clergy office.
Please remember him in your prayers and in the celebration of Mass.
Mgr Frost was in his ninety third year, the sixty eighth year of his Sacred Priesthood. May he rest in peace.
Francis Mary Frost was born on 3rd March 1933 in Alexandra Park, Manchester and was baptised on 19th March 1933 at St Mary Magdalen, Wandsworth Common London. He was educated at Holy Ghost School, Balham; St Hubert’s, Great Harwood; St Joseph’s, Nelson; Holy Trinity, Brierfield and St Bede’s College, Manchester.
Francis was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford on 6th September 1946 to continue at St Bede’s College as a boarder. In October 1951 he transferred to Merville, France and in 1953 to Seminaire des Facultes Catholiques in Lille, France.
Father Francis Frost was ordained to the Priesthood on 20th April 1958 at St Bede’s College, Manchester.
After ordination, Fr Frost returned to Lille for further studies before serving the Diocese of Salford in the following appointments:
1959-1960: L’Ecole d’Arbois, Mègève Haute Savoir as Chaplain
1960-1961: St. Margaret Mary’s, New Moston as Assistant Priest
1961-1963: St. Edmund’s House, Cambridge for further studies
1963-1963: St. Brigid’s, Bradford as Assistant Priest
1963-1964: St. Edmund’s House, Cambridge to continue further studies
1964-1968: Christ’s College, Liverpool as Lecturer
1968-1989: Professor, Lille University Ecumenical Institute, Switzerland
1989-1997: Professor, Ecumenical Institute of Bossey – World Council of Churches
1997-2012: Representative of Pontifical Council for Christian Unity of the World Council of Churches, Ars.
In 2004, Fr Francis was named Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
Mgr Frost’s funeral took place on 12th January at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Bourg-en-Bresse and he was buried in the priests’ section of the cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in due course.
Tagged | Diocese
