A FORMER globe-trotting parish priest who was present at Westminster Abbey during Pope John Paul II's first Papal tour in 1982 has reached a major landmark.

Canon Anthony Griffiths, who officially retired from St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church eight years ago has celebrated his diamond jubilee.

Still an active player in South Buckinghamshire church life, June 3 marked 60 years since his ordination as a priest.

The occasion was marked by a Mass celebrated jointly by Canon Griffiths and two bishops – the bishop of the local diocese, the Right Reverend Peter Doyle of Northampton and Bishop Ambrose Griffiths, retired Bishop of Hexham and younger brother of Canon Griffiths.

Eight other priests of the Northampton Diocese also took part.

Before his 24 year tenure in Marlow he spent the 21 years in High Wycombe - as curate then Parish Priest at St Augustines High Wycombe.

In 2002 he retired to live in a flat in the grounds of the church.

The choirs of St Peters Marlow and St Augustines High Wycombe joined forces specially for the occasion.

Canon Griffiths, who served five bishops, was paid tribute to by his successor as priest in Marlow, Canon Bosco Clarke.

More than eighty people attended a special lunch after the concelebrated Mass, including other members of Canon Griffiths’ wider family – his sister, nieces and nephews.

Representatives of other local Christian churches also attended.

Paul Burden, a member of the parish since before Canon Griffiths took over, said: “He was a pivotal figure in the life of the families of his parishes through the many services he conducted – baptisms, first communions, wedding and funerals.

“Canon Griffiths has retained a diverse and widely spread network of ex-parishioners.

“He is famously a fearless globe-trotter and his travels have allowed him to keep in touch with former members of his flock around the world.”

The United States, South Africa, China, Russia and Mexico were among his destinations.

A highlight of his 60 years was being present at two of the key moments of Pope John Paul II's visit to England in 1982.

Canon Griffiths was at the services at both Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral during that first Papal tour.

Unusually, both Canon Griffiths’ grandfathers were Anglican vicars.

But his parents converted to Catholicism shortly before he was born.