- London, England -
The Southwark Cathedral announced through a Facebook post the death of Doorkins Magnificat, the Cathedral cat.
Doorkins Magnificat passed away on September 30, in the arms of one of the Cathedral vergers, whom she has been living with since the end of 2019.
She died of a stroke.
The post reads: “Doorkins came to Southwark Cathedral in 2008 and made her home with us. She had been living wild until she saw a place of sanctuary at Southwark Cathedral, and she gradually began to trust those who fed and looked after her. She remained an active and fearless cat, wandering around the Cathedral and outside during her time with us, until the London Bridge terrorist attack in 2017. At that time she was shut out of the Cathedral for a number of days and once inside again she did not leave the warmth of the place which she had come to think of as home and where she knew she was safe. Doorkins went into retirement when she could no longer see and the Cathedral was then not a safe place for her, as she could not navigate it without mishap. Her last months were very happy and she was well loved in her place of retirement.”
The Verger said about the furbaby’s passing: “In the past couple of weeks her health declined rapidly and during the night of the 30th of September her health very suddenly and quickly deteriorated. She died in my arms to the sound of a familiar voice peacefully at 8.20pm. I miss her more than words can say such was the impact she had on me and all who loved her so dearly.”
Andrew Peter Nunn, the Dean of Southwark, said about Doorkins Magnificat: “The community at Southwark Cathedral is saddened by the death of Doorkins. Like many people before her she found her way to us and was welcomed and made us her family and this place her home. She brought us so much pleasure and much joy to her many fans and followers. She met Her Majesty The Queen and was present at more services than most of us. She was photographed by thousands of people and had a book written about her. She has been a blessing to us in so many ways. We will miss her.”
On October 28, Southwark Cathedral hosted an emotional thanksgiving service for Doorkins Magnificat.
The Indian EXPRESS reports that not everyone approved of the service and that several pastors and bishops criticized Nunn for hosting the service despite the pandemic.
Philip John North, the Bishop of Burnley, heartlessly and soullessly Tweeted: “Is this a joke? I do hope so. If not it’s grossly insensitive to bereaved families and those ministering to them in the NW under the regional coronavirus restrictions.”
People with a heart and soul on the other hand, thanked Nunn for the service!
Nunn told CNN he had “no regrets” about the service and said: “There’s such a lot of emotion around at the moment, and sometimes, something like that can just release it for people… It was heartwarming as well as emotional.”