Thomas Herbert O'Driscoll

Thomas Herbert O'Driscoll (1928–2024), widely known as Herb O'Driscoll, was an Irish-born Canadian Anglican priest, preacher, author, liturgist, and hymn writer. He was born in Cork, Ireland, on October 17, 1928, studied at Trinity College Dublin, and was ordained in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, in 1952. His early ministry included parish work in Ireland before he moved to Canada in the 1950s.

In Canada O'Driscoll served in several parishes in the Ottawa area and as a naval chaplain in Halifax. In 1968 he became rector of Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver and Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster, serving there until 1982. He then spent a brief period in Washington, D.C., as Warden of the College of Preachers at Washington National Cathedral before returning to Canada. He later served at Christ Church, Elbow Park, in Calgary and in retirement assisted in Anglican ministry in Victoria, British Columbia.

O'Driscoll became especially well known for narrative preaching and for communicating Christian faith through story. The Anglican Diocese of British Columbia remembered him as a preacher, creator of liturgies and hymns, broadcaster, newspaper writer, guest speaker, and author of more than fifty books. His writing frequently brought biblical narratives into conversation with contemporary Christian life.

His hymns use accessible language to address discipleship, freedom, mission, and the church's calling in the world. “Let My People Seek Their Freedom,” dated 1971, is one example of his practice of using biblical story as a framework for modern congregational reflection. O'Driscoll died in Victoria, British Columbia, on July 25, 2024.