Day: Mar 7, 2020

FROM OUR LONDON PRIEST CORRESPONDENT.

Hello Pat and hope you are well. I’m reliably informed that the Rector of Wornesh has “resigned”. You probably know already but the seminary has been in meltdown for some years. Things came to a head with the police turning up and arresting a seminarian (from the Clifton diocese) for allegedly uploading child sexual abuse images on the college computer. Archbishop John Wilson has had a root and branch investigation and the result has been the rector being given the heave hoe – so my impeccable sources have informed me this very afternoon. Much love, Xxxxx

The other day I had an email from a seminarian;

“Please don’t use my name.
For your information/ research .
Brian coyle is leaving wonersh after 3.5 years at Easter. Not finishing his 5 year contract.
Some rumors say he’s becoming a bishop others shipped out. Can you find out?

Wonersh is another RC seminary in disgrace.

And sex is at the heart of it.

And poor formation or malformation is one of the big causes.

Of course Archbishop Wilson of Southwark should make a public statement, stating the facts.

That will not happen.

Cover up is the default RC position.

WHY IS THE SINGING PRIEST DE LARGY WEARING A WEDDING RING?

SENT IN BY A READER

N THE PAST DAY OR TWO A NORTHERN IRELAND PRIEST WAS SENT BY HIS GP TO BE TESTED FOR THE CORONAVIRUS.

He was advised by those who tested him to go home and self isolate for 14 days and while he waited on the results.

The next day the testers contacted him again and told him the first test was inconclusive and asked him to get in his car immediately and return for another test.

After that test he was advised again to self isolate for 14 days.

When the results of the second test proved negative he was still advised to self isolate for 14 days.

Then out of the blue, he got a call from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride who told him that as his test was negative he did not have to self isolate at all!

Today the priest is very stressed and exhausted. It’s hardly surprising. He had had a few days of being very scared.

I asked him if he had contacted his bishop or diocese. His answer: “My bishop and diocese has not given me much care and support up until now. So I see no point in contacting them”.

Now, that’s sad!

But thankfully the priest is ok. He is the first person I’ve been in contact with me the virus. When it happens to someone you know it brings it home to you.

DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP PETER SMITH

I heard only yesterday that Peter Smith the retired archbishop of Southwark was dying in hospital.

I met him when he was the bishop of East Anglia. He and I appeared together on shows presented by Dame Joan Bakewell.

****** Peter Smith died during the night. RIP.

I must say Peter was very friendly. I did notice he was a chain smoker.