When he died in 2004, the beloved Archbishop Denis Hurley was buried in Emmanuel Cathedral, Durban. His grave lies to the right of the sanctuary, just in front of the statue of Our Lady to whom he had a special devotion as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate.
At a Memorial Mass in February 2017, on the occasion of Hurley’s death anniversary, Wilfrid Cardinal Napier OFM, his successor as Archbishop of Durban, announced permission for the creation of a shrine in Hurley’s honour to "encourage public devotion that would be evidence for the Archdiocese to start the cause for his canonisation”.
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A permanent exhibition about the life and ministry of Denis Hurley, including a number of relics associated with him, is in on display next door to the Cathedral in the Denis Hurley Centre, a living legacy to Denis Hurley
- The shrine is accessible when the Cathedral is open, 7 days a week: 6am-6pm (except during services).
- The exhibition is accessible when the Denis Hurley Centre is open, 7 days a week 8am to 5pm.
- Tours for groups are available on request: please email shrine@denishurleycentre.org. Safe parking is available behind the Cathedral.
 | It is the custom among Catholics that a bishop be buried in the Cathedral where he presided. Hurley’s grave joined the graves of two former bishops/vicars apostolic of Durban: Charles-Constant Jolivet OMI (who served 1874-1903) and Henri De Lalle (1903-1949). In fact, Hurley had been associated with this building for over 60 years— not just as bishop and then archbishop (1947-92), but as a recently ordained curate (1940-43) and then, in his retirement, as Administrator (1992-2002; the Catholic equivalent of a Cathedral Dean).
The Shrine was inaugurated on Sunday 17 March 2017, exactly 70 years after Hurley was consecrated as bishop in the same Cathedral, by Bishop Barry Wood OMI, auxiliary bishop of Durban. During that weekend, it was blessed in addition by Monsignor Paul Nadal (Hurley’s Vicar General) and fellow Oblates, Fr Chris Richmond OMI, Fr John Paterson OMI (who at 93 is a near contemporary of Hurley) and Fr Vusi Mazibuko OMI (Natal Provincial). At the Masses honouring Hurley during that weekend, his mitre and crozier (symbols of his authority as a bishop) were brought in procession and placed on the grave. During the Eucharist, a chalice was used that had been a gift to mark Hurley’s consecration as bishop from the Marist Brothers at St Charles College, Pietermaritzburg (Hurley’s old school). |
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Durban City Council have recognised Hurley’s importance with a street and now a museum dedicated to him; the Church is now formally encouraging us to pray for his intercession by the creation of this shrine. It is clear that he is an inspiration to Catholics and to citizens of all faiths and persuasions. (Paddy Kearney, Hurley’s biographer)
Pope Francis keeps reminding us that we are the Church of the Poor. Hurley’s example drives the work for the marginalised that continues in his name. With our prayers, and the work of the Spirit, perhaps in time he will be St Denis of Durban, patron of the poor. (Raymond Perrier, Director of the Denis Hurley Centre)